DeChambeau's US Open Nightmare: Back-to-Back Doubles Threaten Another Missed Cut

The US Open has been a house of horrors for many, but for Bryson DeChambeau, it's becoming a recurring nightmare. On Friday at Pinehurst No.2, the 2020 champion suffered a catastrophic sequence that has all but ended his hopes of playing the weekend. Back-to-back double bogeys have plunged him down the leaderboard, and the cut line looms ominously.

What happened at Pinehurst

DeChambeau's round unraveled in spectacular fashion. After a solid start, he found trouble on consecutive holes, carding two double bogeys that sent his scorecard into a tailspin. The former PGA Tour star, now a key figure in LIV Golf, has been searching for form in major championships. His grit and power game, so effective in 2020 at Winged Foot, have deserted him at crucial moments.

Pinehurst's treacherous turtleback greens and sandy waste areas demand precision, but DeChambeau's aggressive approach backfired. The doubles were a result of errant drives and delicate short-game failures, areas that used to be his strengths. With the cut projected near even par, his position is precarious.

Context: A pattern of major struggles

This isn't an isolated incident. DeChambeau has missed the cut in recent majors, including the 2023 PGA Championship and The Open. His last top-10 in a major came at the 2021 Masters. The scientific golfer, who once boasted of bulking up to overpower courses, has been seeking a balance between power and control.

Injuries and swing changes have played a role. While he's found success on LIV Golf—winning events and earning big paydays—the four-round grind of a US Open demands consistency. DeChambeau's explosive style can produce birdies but also invites disaster, as witnessed today.

Why it matters

The US Open is the ultimate test of nerve and skill. For a former champion, missing the cut at the same venue where he once triumphed would be a bitter pill. It raises questions about his ability to compete at the highest level in traditional stroke play events. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, such performances don't help his case for a potential return.

What it means moving forward

DeChambeau still has holes to play, but the damage may already be done. He needs a miraculous run to secure a weekend tee time. More broadly, this week reinforces that major championship golf remains a different beast. Even for a player with his talent and one major title, staying relevant at the top requires more than brute force. Pinehurst is exposing every flaw, and for DeChambeau, the lessons are harsh. If he does miss the cut, it will be another setback in a career that promised so much more.