The green-reading whisperer has put Ben Griffin back on track: At the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, the American made a flying start, thanks in no small part to his new caddie Jon Yarbrough. A sensational round of 7-under-par 64, directly after returning from an injury – now that's a statement!
Griffin holed putts from a whopping 159 feet (approx. 48.46 meters) on the greens, carded an eagle on the par-5 third hole, and collected seven birdies, four of them consecutively. This impressive run comes just weeks after he ended his four-and-a-half-year partnership with caddie Alex Ritthamel. Yarbrough, none other than Phil Mickelson's former caddie and by Scott Stallings' side for over ten years, is now on his bag.
Mickelson's Secret Weapon on the Bag
Phil Mickelson once called Yarbrough the “best green-reader he had ever seen” – and this very expertise seems to be a godsend for Griffin. After a triumphant 2025 season with three PGA Tour victories and a Ryder Cup appearance, his putting became a concern in the challenging 2026 season. Yarbrough, with his putting expertise, arrived at precisely the right moment to unlock the secrets of the greens once more.
A Resounding Comeback
What makes this even more remarkable is that Griffin came fresh off a knee treatment and hadn't touched a club for a month prior. The fact that he delivers such a performance immediately after this forced break speaks volumes. The comparatively flat course at Vidanta Vallarta seems to suit him well. With his 64, he is currently just one shot behind Japanese leader Kensei Hirata, who stands at 8-under-par. Whether Yarbrough will remain permanently by his side is still open, but this first outing of the new dream team pairing already has the golf world eagerly anticipating more.
