Just two days before teeing it off at the Valspar Championship, Wyndham Clark decided to part ways with his long-time caddie, John Ellis. But the late change didn’t really ease the three-time PGA Tour winner’s struggles. 

After ending the nine-year-long partnership, Clark hired Dave Pelekoudas, the popular ‘Big Wave Dave.’ Yet, Clark missed the cut at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club by shooting a two-over 144.

Talking to Golfweek after hitting a one-under 70 in the first round at Innisbrook Resort, Clark said, “We both just felt like it was time to move on and we wanted to choose our friendship over the job. It’s been kind of a tough last year of golf and we both mutually were like, alright, let’s just take a little break and reassess maybe later.”

Ellis groomed Clark and brought him out of his struggles at the Korn Ferry Tour. Their partnership was initially meant to be a temporary stint, which came alive after Clark texted the caddie an image of a sinking ship. But things worked out and the two stuck together. 

And during their time together, Clark won three PGA Tour events, including the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship, the 2023 U.S. Open, and the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

The separation might be heartbreaking. But even Ellis thinks that it was necessary. 

What Does Wyndham Clark’s Caddie Have To Say About the Split?

During his appearance on Sirius XM’s Gravy & The Sleeze Show, John Ellis said, "When things aren’t going great and I care more about, you know, Wyndham and I’s friendship, you know, we’re friends before business, and things just weren't right. Something had to give and it felt like it was just time maybe, you know, a different voice for both of us would help.”

Ellis and Clark discussed their separation ahead of The PLAYERS Championship this year. And the duo agreed on the fact that they needed a change to grow. 

But the best thing about their separation is that it doesn’t affect their relationship. They’re still friends and maintain their relationship through constant communication via texts. 

And Wyndham Clark has also hinted that they might partner up once again in the future. 

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar