Fans wonder what has happened to Bryson DeChambeau after disastrous PGA Championship round
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the most popular golfers in the world. Not only is he a world-class talent and two-time major champion, but he has also embraced YouTube golf as a way to share the sport with a younger audience.
But there seems to be something wrong with his game (or body) right now. He missed the cut at Augusta National last month; It’s a shocking development for a player who was one of the favorites to win the Masters. And if things don’t change quickly, it could be headed for the first consecutive round of missed cuts since 2017.
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DeChambeau struggled through a poor opening round Thursday morning at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, posting a 6-over 76. He didn’t record a birdie until his final hole, the par-5 9th (he started the day on the 10th hole). DeChambeau carded five bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 8th hole.
Bryson DeChambeau competed throughout the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. (Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)
With the completion of the morning wave, DeChambeau’s score remained outside the top 100 on the leaderboard. The PGA Championship is unique because it features 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals, often called club professionals, who have qualified for the PGA Professional Championship.
Unlike full-time tour players, most make a living primarily by teaching, running golf operations and working facilities, not by chasing tournament purses from week to week. Several PGA pros posted better scores than DeChambeau, underscoring just how tough the opening round was.
PGA Tour fans haven’t seen much of DeChambeau since he left for LIV Golf, and they may not see much of him in the future either. DeChambeau said he was willing to forego rejoining the PGA Tour if LIV Golf disbanded to focus on its YouTube channel.
Bryson DeChambeau carded a disappointing 76 in the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
This likely means that a large group of golf fans only see him play competitively four times a year in the majors. Previously, that meant watching him compete for the title. Across eight majors in 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau finished in the top 10 six times, including a dramatic win over Rory McIlroy at the 2024 US Open. He also finished second in the 2024 and 2025 PGA Championship.
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Given his recent history and form, many fans expected DeChambeau to find himself near the top of the leaderboard this weekend at Aronimink. And some weren’t kind to him on social media after that terrible first round.
There’s still a lot of golf to be played, and DeChambeau certainly has a chance to give himself a shot by going out and having a great round on Friday. But that’s exactly what he’ll need, a big turnaround on Friday, or he’ll be back home for a second consecutive major before the weekend.
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Considering he also missed the cut at the 2025 US Open, it would also be DeChambeau’s third missed cut in the last four majors if he doesn’t make it in time for the weekend at Aronimink. This is not the level of golf expected from a player of his caliber. It will be interesting to see how he responds on Friday and heading into the final two majors of 2026.
