TULSA, Okla. — Jenni Roller wanted to play in her hometown U.S. Women’s Amateur. When she didn’t get through qualifying, she offered to caddie for a friend to stay involved in the event.
Then that fell through.
Enter Anna Davis.
The 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion is no stranger to having her twin brother, Billy, on the bag. However, after playing for three straight weeks, Billy wanted to take some time off before beginning his freshman season at Auburn, where Davis will start her sophomore year this fall.
That left Davis needing a caddie. Enter Roller.
“The caddie master out here called me and asked if I wanted to caddie for Anna Davis,” Roller said, “and I was like, yeah!
“I kind of got roped into it at the last minute. I’m really glad I did.”
Davis is into the quarterfinals at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Oklahoma, her second straight year making the final eight. This time, she did it with Roller on the bag, and that partnership has proven vital for Davis.
“She’s great,” Davis said. “We’re kind of the same age. I’ve never had a girl caddie for me who’s the same age as me, too, so it’s been really fun.”
Anna Davis plays her shot on the 14th hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Kathryn Riley/USGA)
Roller is a rising junior at Tulsa, a program that has made the national championship each of the past two years. She’s also familiar with Southern Hills, a place where she shot 66 before in a competitive round and practices at from time to time with her Golden Hurricane teammates. She also grew up playing the course and comes from a golfing family.
Her mother, Maggie, is the director of instruction at Cedar Ridge, a country club not far from Southern Hills. Maggie also played collegiately at Tulsa and was teammates with Melissa Luellen, Auburn’s coach. The duo played under Luellen’s mom, Dale McNamara, and won the 1988 national championship while Luellen won the individual title (Those were later vacated because of NCAA violations by the track and field team).
Roller’s brother, JP, also plays collegiately at Kansas State.
“Tulsa played at our regional at Auburn, and (Roller’s) mom came and stayed with our coach,” Davis said. “But I think they’re good buddies. They look like they’re having a good time.”
Davis gave credit to Roller in a post-round TV interview that she has been a huge help for Davis in reading greens, and she did so again in another interview a few minutes later.
For Roller, she’s learning just as much from the World No. 16.
“It’s been a good perspective because when you’re playing golf, you just see your own shots, but I’ve been able to see like, obviously her game and a ton of great players, kind of how they interact with the course,” Roller said. “So I’ve learned a lot.”
Roller said she raves at Davis’ ball-striking abilities and how smart she is plodding around a golf course. Davis said the both think similarly around a golf course.
It’s a partnership that came together on a whim, and it’s one that has them in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
“She’s been great on the bag,” Davis said. “I’ve really enjoyed her.”