2021 U.S. Open: Bryson DeChambeau Collapses on Back Nine
By Tim Letcher
Bryson DeChambeau entered the 2021 U.S. Open as the defending champion. He was also seen as one of the favorites to win this week.
Things were going well on Sunday for DeChambeau, who even grabbed the lead after making a birdie on the par-3 eighth hole. But his hopes of becoming a repeat champion, like his buddy Brooks Koepka, came crashing down on the back nine.
More from Pro Golf Now
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament
DeChambeau parred the 10th hole to keep things going in a positive direction. But the momentum would change, starting on the 11th hole.
On the par three, he hit his tee shot to the right, then chipped to inside 10 feet, giving himself a chance for par. But the putt missed and DeChambeau dropped a shot.
At the par-4 12th hole, DeChambeau hit his drive to the right. His second shot got him on the right edge of the green. But he was unable to get up-and-down and dropped a shot for the second straight hole.
DeChambeau drove his ball into the right rough on the 13th hole. He was only able to advance his second shot about 150 yards. Then his third shot reached a bunker near the green. He got out with his fourth but was in the rough again. By the time he was done, it was a double bogey and his hopes of repeating had gone out the window.
But DeChambeau’s backward slide was not quite done.
He would par the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to stay at 1-under for the championship. But his insult-to-injury hole came at the 17th hole.
Next. 2021 U.S. Open: Winners and Losers from Torrey Pines. dark
On the par-4, DeChambeau drove it left and was forced to take a penalty. After a drop, his third shot barely advanced. Long story short, he would butcher the hole on his way to a snowman. The quadruple bogey eight dropped DeChambeau to 3-over for the championship. He went from in the lead to out of the Top 20 in just nine holes.
DeChambeau would finish at 3-over par for the championship after shooting a 77 on Sunday. But he’ll always remember the collapse on the back nine that cost him a chance at repeating.