Wyndham Clark's journey to reclaim his winning form is a testament to the power of perseverance and the right coaching fit. After a challenging 2025 season that saw his game falter, the former U.S. Open champion is now showing signs of a remarkable comeback with a new swing coach and his eyes set on 2026.
For much of 2025, a smile was a rare sight for Wyndham Clark. His ball-striking declined, and his mood worsened. Making mid-season adjustments proved difficult, and nothing seemed to work. However, after his first round at the Hero World Challenge, a slight grin was visible, indicating a shift. Clark shot an opening-round 66, his best competitive round since July, and a sign that his work with his new coach was paying off.
Clark's rise to a three-time TOUR winner, major champion, and Ryder Cupper was largely a solo effort. He relied on his caddie, John Ellis, and mental coach, Julie Elion, but didn't have a dedicated swing coach. Occasional visits with Butch Harmon were sporadic. This changed during the offseason. While in Colorado, Clark met Pat Coyner, the new director of instruction for Cherry Hills. They discussed Clark's game, and Clark liked what Coyner had to say.
"I started hitting it better, and I said, ‘Alright, why don't you come help me?’" Clark mentioned. The two began working together before the Baycurrent Classic. The goal was to get Clark's swing back to its 2023 form, when he secured two wins, including the U.S. Open. Coyner and Clark focused on keeping the club face more open through impact, which helped straighten out the left miss that had plagued Clark.
But here's where it gets controversial... Clark had resisted the idea of a full-time coach, as previous experiences led him to focus on the swing rather than the game. After successful seasons in '23 and '24, he only had two top 10 finishes and struggled in events. He fell to 84th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 154th in SG: Approach, areas where he once excelled.
"Off the tee, I was terrible, and my iron play wasn't as good,” he said. This made the season miserable, with Clark missing the BMW Championship and automatic spots in the 2026 Signature Events. After making the U.S. team for the previous two national competitions, Clark was outside consideration for Keegan Bradley’s squad.
Clark has work to do to regain his form. Stringing together four good rounds in the Bahamas would be a good start. "I wouldn't change anything," Clark said, reflecting on the struggles, “it's just now I have someone to check in on me.”
And this is the part most people miss... The importance of finding the right coaching fit and the mental resilience required to bounce back from a slump.
What do you think about Clark's approach to finding a new coach? Do you think it's necessary for players to have a dedicated swing coach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
