A Promising Fight Ends in Heartbreak at Augusta: Bryson DeChambeau arrived at the 2026 Masters as one of the popular contenders to win his first green jacket. The two-time U.S. Open champion had finished inside the top 10 in recent visits to Augusta National and came into the tournament with strong form after recent victories in the LIV Golf League.
However, the week ended in disappointment. DeChambeau failed to make the weekend at Augusta after a dramatic collapse on the final hole of his second round. A triple-bogey on the 18th hole pushed him outside the cut line and ended his tournament after just two rounds.
The result was one of the biggest stories from cut day at the Masters, as a player expected to contend for the title instead packed his bags early.
Masters 2026 Cut Line Overview
After two rounds at Augusta National, only players at or inside the cut line advance to the weekend rounds.
Masters 2026 Cut Line Details
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Masters 2026 |
| Course | Augusta National Golf Club |
| Cut Line | +4 |
| Players Making Cut | 50 (plus ties) |
| DeChambeau Score | +6 |
| Result | Missed Cut |
The projected cut line settled at 4-over-par, meaning players at +4 or better qualified for the third and fourth rounds. DeChambeau finished two shots outside that number, ending his run.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Round-by-Round Performance
DeChambeau struggled early but still kept himself in position to survive the cut until the final hole of the second round.
Masters 2026 Scores
| Round | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 76 (+4) | Included a triple bogey on the 11th |
| Round 2 | 74 (+2) | Late collapse on the final hole |
| Total | +6 | Missed cut by two shots |
Despite the rough start, DeChambeau showed flashes of recovery in Round 2. He produced several birdies during the round and briefly moved inside the projected cut line.
Everything came down to the final hole.
What Happened on the 18th Hole?
The final hole at Augusta National turned into the defining moment of DeChambeau’s tournament.
Heading to the 18th tee, he was 3-over-par for the tournament and only needed a bogey to stay within the cut line.
Instead, the hole unraveled quickly.
Shot-by-Shot Trouble
- His drive missed the fairway and finished in the trees on the right side.
- He attempted a punch shot back into play, which rolled into a greenside bunker.
- His first bunker shot failed to clear the lip, rolling back toward him.
- The next attempt reached the green but rolled back off the front.
- His chip finished well past the hole.
- A missed putt left him with triple bogey 7.
That sequence pushed him from +3 to +6, instantly knocking him out of the tournament.
Round 2 Scorecard Highlights
Despite the dramatic finish, DeChambeau had moments of strong play earlier in the round.
Bryson DeChambeau Round 2 Hole Highlights
| Hole | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bogey |
| 3 | Birdie |
| 7 | Birdie |
| 8 | Birdie |
| 13 | Bogey |
| 15 | Birdie |
| 18 | Triple Bogey |
Birdies on holes 7 and 8 helped him climb inside the top 50 temporarily. Another birdie on 15 kept hopes alive before the final-hole collapse.
Other Big Names Who Missed the Cut
DeChambeau was not the only high-profile player to exit the tournament early.
Notable Players Missing the Weekend
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Bryson DeChambeau | +6 |
| Bubba Watson | +5 |
| J.J. Spaun | +5 |
| Zach Johnson | +6 |
| Akshay Bhatia | +6 |
| Cameron Smith | +7 |
| Robert MacIntyre | +7 |
| Min Woo Lee | +11 |
Several former champions and highly ranked golfers also finished outside the cut line.
Another notable outcome was that none of the six amateurs in the field made the cut, meaning there will be no Low Amateur trophy awarded this year.
Rory McIlroy Leads After 36 Holes
While DeChambeau’s tournament ended early, the top of the leaderboard featured a historic performance.
Rory McIlroy surged to the top with a dominant round and entered the weekend with a six-shot lead at 12-under-par. His performance after two rounds marked one of the largest 36-hole leads in Masters history.
Read more: Rory McIlroy Net Worth 2026
DeChambeau’s early exit was surprising given his recent momentum. He had posted back-to-back top-10 finishes at Augusta and arrived with strong confidence after recent victories.
Instead, Augusta National’s bunkers and closing holes once again proved difficult.
The late triple bogey turned what looked like a safe path to the weekend into a dramatic elimination, making it one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Masters.







