Bryson DeChambeau Open Disaster: Triple Bogey Ends Title Hopes 2026

Bryson DeChambeau suffered a dramatic collapse at the Open Championship, ending his title hopes with a triple bogey on the 11th hole. The American golfer, known for his unorthodox style, saw his round unravel in spectacular fashion at Royal Birkdale.

How Bryson DeChambeau's Round Fell Apart

Deep into the final round, DeChambeau was at minus five, four shots off the lead with eight holes to play. He had not made a single birdie all day, but hope remained. After all, Jordan Spieth famously made up four shots on the back nine here in 2017 to win the Claret Jug. Could history repeat itself?

The loyal Brysonites cheered as he stepped onto the tricky par-four 11th and pulled out his driver. But disaster struck immediately. His tee shot flew 301 yards into the thick rough on the left, and his second traveled just eight yards. His third then flew into deep fescue on the right, and after an extensive search, the ball was declared unplayable.

The Penalty and the Crowd's Reaction

DeChambeau was slapped with a one-shot penalty and had to take a buggy 138 yards back to the scene of the original crime. The crowd then serenaded him with chants of "Rory! Rory McIlroy!" — a pantomime barb that still stung. A triple-bogey seven followed, effectively ending his championship.

Key Takeaways from DeChambeau's Open Exit

• Driver accuracy proved costly — his tee shot on 11 found the worst possible spot.
• The crowd turned hostile after the penalty, chanting for rival Rory McIlroy.
• DeChambeau's birdie drought (zero birdies all day) sealed his fate.
• The R&A could exhale as the controversial figure exited early.

Controversy Follows DeChambeau

Friday's two-shot penalty had already stirred debate, with McIlroy accusing DeChambeau of holding the tournament hostage. Yet the crowd around the 1st tee was 10 deep in places, with young fans and kids cheering him on. One fan even shouted, "Rory's going to buy you a pint after!", drawing huge laughter.

Despite the support, DeChambeau's game could not match the moment. The triple bogey at 11 was a microcosm of his week: bold, risky, and ultimately punishing. For golf fans, it was a reminder that even the most talented players can fall victim to Royal Birkdale's infamous rough.

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