Ben Griffin Hires Phil Mickelson's Ex-Caddie Jon Yarbrough

Ben Griffin has a new caddie. Jon Yarbrough, who carried Phil Mickelson's bag for roughly two years before Mickelson largely disappeared from public view in 2026, is now working for the Ryder Cupper. Griffin confirmed the change this week at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, ending a four-and-a-half-year run with longtime caddie Alex Ritthamel.

Why did Ben Griffin change caddies?

Griffin and Ritthamel built one of the tour's more productive partnerships, winning three PGA Tour events in 2025 and helping push Griffin into the top 10 of the world ranking. Griffin called the split a hard call but said the two remain on good terms.

"Incredible run with Alex," Griffin said from Mexico. "Four and a half years — we changed each other's lives. So it was a really tough decision honestly. All respect to Alex."

Griffin opened the Mexico Open with a 7-under 64, leaving him one shot behind first-round leader Kensei Hirata.

Who is Jon Yarbrough?

Yarbrough, known in the caddie yard as "JY," joined Mickelson's bag in 2024 after stints with Mickelson's brother Tim and, before that, Jim "Bones" Mackay. He built a reputation as one of the tour's sharpest green readers, a skill that earned him the nickname "Greens Book Johnny." In taking him on, Griffin traded a four-and-a-half-year partnership for one of the tour's most decorated green-readers.

Griffin traded a four-and-a-half-year partnership for one of the tour's most decorated green-readers.

Before Mickelson, Yarbrough caddied for Scott Stallings, Laura Diaz, Suzanne Pettersen, Morgan Pressel, Bill Haas, Gary Woodland and Smylie Kaufman. He also played college golf at North Texas. Griffin and Yarbrough are one round into their partnership as the Mexico Open continues.