With new swing coach, Wyndham Clark turning corner with eyes on 2026
NASSAU, The Bahamas – A smiling Wyndham Clark was a rare sight for much of 2025. Little went right for the former U.S. Open champion as his ball-striking deteri
www.pgatour.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting up to mid-2026.
Direct answer
- The most current publicly reported information about Wyndham Clark’s caddie situation as of early 2026 centers on a leadership change in Clark’s regular bag-carrying team around 2025–2026, with veteran caddie John Ellis having split after a long partnership and Dave Pelekoudas stepping in as Clark’s caddie for the foreseeable future. This followed Clark’s notable 2023 U.S. Open victory and lengthy collaboration with Ellis, which had been a hallmark of his major-level success.[3][5][8]
Context and details
- Background on the Clark–Ellis pairing: John Ellis served as Clark’s caddie for about a decade, including the 2023 U.S. Open win and other high-profile runs. Reports in Golf Monthly and GolfMagic captured Ellis explaining the split as a professional decision rather than personal animosity, and noted that Dave Pelekoudas has since filled in and become the regular bagman going forward.[3]
- Reasons for the split and the new arrangement: Reporting around March 2026 highlighted Clark’s form slump relative to his peak during the 2023 season, and outlets described the break with Ellis as part of Clark seeking renewed success and consistency, with a new caddie in place to bring a fresh voice and approach. This context aligns with Clark’s broader career arc during that period, including 2025 updates about his swing changes and shifting support staff.[5][3]
- Additional background on Clark’s caddie history: Prior coverage of Clark’s career notes his rise to major status with Ellis on the bag, and after their split the PGA Tour community watched how Pelekoudas would adapt to Clark’s game as they prepared for the 2026 season. Pelekoudas has caddied for other top players and brought extensive experience to Clark’s team.[8][5]
Potential implications
- Impact on performance: A change in caddie can influence on-course decision-making, course-management, and course-level trust. In Clark’s case, the shift coincides with a broader set of changes including a swing coach update and a focus on regaining form, suggesting the caddie change was one of several factors intended to reaccelerate his better results.[6][5]
- What to watch next: Monitor Clark’s results at early-2026 PGA Tour events and any interviews or press conferences that discuss how the new caddie is shaping strategy, especially around major championships or field-strength events.
Illustration
- Example: If you’re tracking performance, a simple comparison of Clark’s results before and after the caddie change (e.g., top-10 finishes, scoring average, strokes gained) could offer a quick read on early impact.
Citations
- The March 2026 confirmation of the split and Pelekoudas stepping in comes from Golf Monthly coverage of Clark’s caddie changes.[3]
- GolfMagic and related outlets summarized the broader context of Clark’s coaching and team changes, including the caddie transition and Clark’s performance trajectory.[1][4]
- PGA Tour profiles and reporting around late 2025 into 2026 described Clark’s swing-coach updates and performance patterns, situating the caddie change within a broader reinvention phase.[5][6]
If you’d like, I can assemble a concise timeline of Clark’s caddie relationships and performance metrics from 2023–2026, and/or pull the most recent quotes from Clark or Pelekoudas for direct context.