Bryson DeChambeau reached the pinnacle of golf when he claimed victory at the 2024 U.S. Open in Pinehurst, proving his skill with a clutch bunker shot and finishing ahead of Rory McIlroy. This marked his second U.S. Open Championship win.
Since that triumph, DeChambeau’s journey in major tournaments has seen ups and downs. His performances in 2025 included a T5 finish at The Masters and a T2 at the PGA Championship. However, he faltered by missing the cut at the U.S. Open in Oakmont. He bounced back with a T10 at The Open in Royal Portrush.
Although missing a cut as the defending champion was disappointing, 2026 proved even more challenging for DeChambeau. He missed the cut in all three major starts at Augusta, Aronimink, and Shinnecock. His near miss at the U.S. Open placed him alongside top players like Viktor Hovland, Patrick Reed, and Harris English, a scenario viewed as inadequate for a golfer of his stature.
As he faces one last major tournament to reclaim his reputation, prominent golf commentators express doubts about his ability to perform. Nick Faldo criticized DeChambeau’s strategic approach, particularly on links-style courses, stating that DeChambeau lacks strategic understanding and the finesse needed at Royal Birkdale.
“I’d say it to his face — DeChambeau has zero clue of strategy,” Faldo commented. “He said last year: ‘I’m going to go out and attack the links’. Well, I’ve never attacked a links [course]. You thread it, don’t you? You feed it down the fairway.”
The criticism doesn’t stop there. Brandel Chamblee highlighted DeChambeau’s focus shift from competing against top golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to engaging with YouTubers like Grant Horvat.
Grant Horvat is known for his presence in YouTube Golf and has collaborated with DeChambeau on multiple videos. Although Horvat is skilled, he doesn’t yet match the prowess of elites like Scheffler or McIlroy.
In the eyes of some, DeChambeau’s engagement with LIV Golf opened him to scrutiny. His participation on the tour, with different exposure and competitors, means his major performances are the primary means to judge his standing against top players.
While DeChambeau embraces unconventional techniques and equipment choices, challenges have arisen from injuries impacting his competitive performance.
Despite his current hurdles, DeChambeau’s stellar 2024 season demonstrated his capability, as he secured multiple top finishes, while also engaging in YouTube content creation.
Golf remains a sport centered on performance, and DeChambeau has a chance to quash criticism during his next major appearance. Later, he might pair competitive success with producing another golf video.