2021 BMW Championship: Bryson DeChambeau Blows Chance

Early on Saturday, it looked like Bryson DeChambeau was on the verge of running away with the 2021 BMW Championship and, in the process, maybe the FedEx Cup. But by the time he was finished, that lead had evaporated and the issue was still very much in question.

DeChambeau entered the final round with a one-shot lead but he was quickly able to extend his advantage early in the round. And he did so in impressive fashion.

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The long-hitting DeChambeau parred the first and second holes to start his round. But he got into red figures with a birdie on the par-3 third hole.

Then, DeChambeau had back-to-back spectacular holes. On the par-5 fourth hole, he drove his ball in the fairway, then hit the green with his second shot. He then rolled in his 25-foot eagle putt to get to 3-under par on his round.

On the very next hole, DeChambeau struck again. On the short par-4 fifth hole, DeChambeau drove the green, then dropped a 50-plus foot putt for eagle, his second straight. He was 5-under on his round through five holes.

DeChambeau would birdie the eighth hole on his way in to shoot a 6-under par 30 on his front nine. His lead was as many as three shots.

But then, on the back nine, things came unraveled.

After a birdie on the 11th hole got him to 7-under par on his round, DeChambeau had a rough stretch of holes. And, ironically, it started on a reachable par five.

At the 12th hole, DeChambeau hit his second shot into the water. After taking a drop, he hit his fourth on the green, then needed two putts to get in. It was a bogey six that dropped him to 6-under on his round.

On the very next hole, the par-3 13th hole, DeChambeau hit his tee shot in the water. After taking another drop, he hit the green in three but he missed his bogey putt. It was a double bogey that dropped DeChambeau back to 4-under on his round. It also allowed other players, including Patrick Cantlay back into the tournament.

DeChambeau had two birdies and another bogey on his way in. He would finish with a 5-under par 67 and he’s tied for the lead with Cantlay with 18 holes left.

Yes, DeChambeau still has a chance to win this week. But he also had a chance to essentially put this event away on Saturday and he didn’t. That could cost him on Sunday.