2021 Rocket Mortgage: Last Five Holes Cost Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau knew he needed to make something happen on Friday in the second round of the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic. The defending champion was hoping he could not only get inside the cut line, but also could find his way into contention.

DeChambeau shot an even-par 72 in Thursday’s first round and figured he would have to make it to about 3-under par in order to make it to the weekend. And things started well for DeChambeau on Friday.

More from Pro Golf Now

Playing the back nine first, DeChambeau started his round with pars on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes to remain at even par for the tournament. Then on the par-5 14th hole, he narrowly missed an eagle putt and settled for a tap-in birdie to get to 1-under par.

After parring the 15th and 16th holes, DeChambeau used his extreme length to his advantage again on the par-5 17th hole. He was near the green in two and got up-and-down for his second birdie of the day. He was 2-under par at that point.

As he made the turn, DeChambeau needed probably one or two more birdies to ensure his spot for the weekend.

However, on the first hole, he drove his ball into trouble and was unable to get his second shot near the cup. He had over 50 feet for birdie and he missed badly, leaving himself about 20 feet for par. That putt missed and DeChambeau carded his first bogey of the day.

After pars on the second and third holes, DeChambeau birdied another par-5, this time the fourth hole. That got him back to 2-under par with still one par five remaining.

But his round was sealed on the fifth and sixth holes. On the par-3 fifth, he drove his ball into a bunker and could not get up-and-down. It was a bogey, dropping him back to 1-under.

Then on the par-4 sixth hole, he drove it in the rough, then hit his second shot into a greenside bunker. He pitched out to about 60 feet, then missed his par putt. It was back-to-back bogeys that dropped him to even par.

Next. 2021 Travelers Championship: Winners and Losers from Connecticut. dark

DeChambeau still had a chance to make the cut, with a par five. and a short par four remaining. He birdied the par-5 seventh to get back to 1-under. Then on the short par-4 eighth, he drove his ball 343 yards and was about 30 yards from the green for his second. He pitched to about 10 feet but missed his birdie putt, sealing his fate.

His late demise will leave him out of the weekend and without a chance to defend his title in Detroit.

Home/Golf News