Clark's Tweet Revelation
Wyndham Clark Reveals Past Reason for Hating Baker Mayfield, Now Seeks Reconciliation
Key Points
In 2025, during the U.S. Open at Oakmont, Wyndham Clark was involved in a locker-room incident that led to a ban and later reinstatement.
Earlier in 2025, Clark also threw his golf club at a sign in a separate on-course incident before the locker-room episode.
Clark's college history includes transferring from Oklahoma State to Oregon as an undergraduate, a detail that frames his early career.
Context on Mayfield’s dating timeline shows he met his future wife Emily Wilkinson in 2017, with their first in-person meeting in December 2017, which outlets cite to frame Clark’s claims.
PGA Tour star Wyndham Clark finally explained his infamous 2016 tweet — "I hate Baker Mayfield" — and the reason has nothing to do with football rivalries. Clark told the Pardon My Take podcast that his then-girlfriend cheated on him with the Oklahoma quarterback, and his anger was really directed at her, not Mayfield. "It wasn't a Bedlam thing. I didn't actually hate Baker. I hated what happened," Clark said.
Clark, a two-time U.S. Open champion, now says he is actually a Mayfield fan and wants to bury the hatchet. He hopes to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback in person, clear the air, and maybe play a round of golf together.
A Decade-Old Tweet Finally Gets Its Explanation
Clark posted the tweet on December 3, 2016, while attending Oklahoma State University. At the time, Mayfield was the star quarterback at rival University of Oklahoma. Most people assumed it was simple college rivalry — the "Bedlam" matchup between the two schools. Golfweek reported the feud appeared to be a standard sports grudge rooted in that rivalry.
Clark revealed the real story nearly a decade later. His girlfriend at the time had cheated on him with Mayfield. He took his anger out publicly on Mayfield, the figure the world already saw as a polarizing personality. Shortly after the tweet, Clark transferred from Oklahoma State to the University of Oregon, saying he needed a fresh start.
Dating Timeline Backs Up Clark's College-Era Claims
One key detail supports Clark's story. Baker Mayfield met his future wife, Emily Wilkinson, for the first time in person in December 2017 — a full year after Clark's tweet. The Mirror and other outlets note this timeline confirms the alleged incident with Clark's ex-girlfriend happened well before Mayfield's long-term relationship began.
Mayfield has not responded publicly to Clark's claims. Sources close to the quarterback, per reports, suggest he finds the decade-old story "tiring" and is focused on the upcoming NFL season rather than re-litigating old college drama.
Clark's 2025 Suspension Added Fuel to His Volatile Image
Clark's candid podcast appearance comes after a rough stretch off the course. During the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, he threw a golf club at a yardage sign after a bad approach shot. Later that same week, a locker-room incident led the USGA to ban him from its events pending an investigation into "conduct unbecoming of a champion," according to an official USGA release.
Clark served a 90-day suspension and paid an estimated $250,000 in fines to the USGA and Oakmont Country Club for property damage and conduct violations, per reports. He completed a mandatory anger management course and issued a private apology before being reinstated in September 2025. He returned to competition in 2026 and currently ranks among the tour's top putters.
Clark Eyes a "Bury the Hatchet" Meeting With Mayfield
Clark is pushing for a face-to-face with Mayfield to officially close the chapter. The two have never met in person. Sports media and analysts note the viral Pardon My Take clip racked up 4.2 million views in its first 24 hours, with many fans rallying behind Clark under the hashtag #GolfAndHeartbreak. The story shifted quickly from "petty rivalry" to "relatable heartbreak."
Several networks are reportedly bidding on a charity golf match between Clark and Mayfield, with a working title of "Bury the Hatchet," styled after the popular "The Match" format, according to Sports Yahoo. Whether Mayfield agrees to participate remains to be seen, but Clark has made his intentions clear: he wants a handshake, not a headline.
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