Big Wave Dave: The Caddie Shaking Up Wyndham Clark's Game

Wyndham Clark's early 2026 season didn't go as planned. After missing three cuts in a row, he made a surprising change by swapping his longtime caddie. That decision led him to David Pelekoudas, nicknamed Big Wave Dave, a familiar face from his 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational rounds. But why the switch? Clark's former caddie mentioned their friendship came first, yet things weren't working. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes to turn things around. Pelekoudas isn't new to the golf scene. He's worked with several players like Blayne Barber and Brian Campbell over the years. Though he started golf late at 16, he played competitively in college. His own golf journey took him through Orange Coast College and Pepperdine University, where he earned a degree in Sports Administration. Interestingly, his best golf memory wasn't personal—it was leading Pepperdine to a team championship win in 2016.Off the course, Pelekoudas keeps his life private, but he's revealed a few passions. He loves basketball, gym workouts, fishing, and beach trips. His Instagram shows him exploring new places with friends and family, catching waves, and cheering on sports teams. Unlike many in the sport, he doesn’t flood social media with golf details—just glimpses of a normal, active lifestyle. The real question is whether this caddie change is making a difference. Clark’s results tell a story. After the switch, he bounced back with a win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and a strong third-place finish at the Memorial Tournament. Even his missed cut at the 2026 PGA Championship didn’t overshadow overall progress. Entering the U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Clark sits comfortably in contention, proving partnerships matter in golf.