GOLF.AI • today

Caddie Shake-up: Old Wisdom Returns

In a move that has sent ripples through the PGA Tour, Ben Griffin, after a career-defining 2025 season with three victories and a Ryder Cup debut, has made a drastic change. Amidst a frustrating 2026 slump, Griffin parted ways with caddie Alex Ritthamel, the man on the bag for all of that success, in a stunning display of trading past loyalty for a potential future edge.

In a high-stakes gamble to cure his woes, particularly on the greens, Griffin has hired veteran looper Jon Yarbrough ahead of the Mexico Open. Yarbrough, Phil Mickelson’s former caddie who recently departed the LIV Golf circuit, is renowned for his elite green-reading and intuitive, "old-school" feel. The move signals a clear belief from Griffin that decades of on-course experience might be the antidote to his performance dip, a trust in human touch over pure data.

Griffin’s decision is the most prominent example of a fascinating inside-the-ropes trend. A growing number of Tour players are trading loyalty to younger, data-heavy caddies for the seasoned wisdom of veterans. This shift reignites a classic debate in golf: the value of art (feel and intuition) versus science (data and analytics). It underscores the deep psychological trust required between player and caddie when tournament titles are on the line.

The market for these experienced caddies has become newly competitive, partly due to the uncertain future of LIV Golf. As veteran loopers like Yarbrough return to the more stable PGA Tour, they bring a wealth of knowledge that is now in high demand. Players are seizing the opportunity to pair up with individuals who have navigated decades of high-pressure moments, betting that experience, not just analytics, is what it truly takes to win at the highest level.