Bryson DeChambeau Falls Behind Rory McIlroy in Majors with Lackluster Preparation

Bryson DeChambeau is staring a fourth missed major cut of the season in the face at The Open Championship. At the start of the season, it was nearly unthinkable that the two-time US Open winner wouldn’t play a single hole of weekend golf at the majors in 2026, but unless he performs far better than he did at the other majors, that’s the reality we’re facing.

What happened?

DeChambeau's latest YouTube video shows exactly why he has struggled at the biggest events of the year. On the week of The Open Championship, the 32-year-old didn’t post anything about UK or links golf, or his preparations for the event. Instead, just two days before the final major of the year begins, he posted a video of himself playing on a golf course surrounded by the tallest trees on earth.

Why it matters for Bryson DeChambeau

That shows where his priorities lie. Not with professional golf or his performances at the year’s biggest events, but with content. And as McIlroy, his old rival, went on a scouting trip to Royal Birkdale, and played in the Scottish Open a week before The Open Championship to prepare, DeChambeau wasn’t thinking about The Open at all. Instead, he was in Canada filming yet another video on a non-links course, gaining very little for The Open.

What comes next?

That’s why McIlroy has been able to separate himself from DeChambeau. He cares deeply about professional golf, and at the moment, DeChambeau appears not to. DeChambeau's recent video shows he isn’t focused on the majors, and it's costing him in the major rankings. Unless he performs far better than he did at the other majors, DeChambeau will face a fourth missed major cut of the season in the face at The Open Championship.

The gap widens

Last year, DeChambeau was leading The Masters on Sunday in an epic duel with Rory McIlroy. If he’d have seen that result out, he’d have won three majors to McIlroy’s four, and would have all but won his rivalry against the Northern Irishman. Instead, McIlroy has won back-to-back Masters to bring his major tally to six, and has moved into a different stratosphere than DeChambeau.

The difference in priorities

DeChambeau's latest video shows exactly why that has happened. He's not focused on the majors, and it's showing in his performances. McIlroy, on the other hand, is preparing for The Open Championship with a scouting trip to Royal Birkdale, and playing in the Scottish Open a week before The Open Championship to prepare. It's clear that DeChambeau's priorities lie elsewhere, and it's costing him in the major rankings.

The road ahead

Unless DeChambeau performs far better than he did at the other majors, he will face a fourth missed major cut of the season in the face at The Open Championship. It's a stark contrast to McIlroy, who is preparing for The Open Championship with a clear focus on professional golf. The gap between the two golfers is widening, and it's clear that DeChambeau needs to refocus his priorities if he wants to close the gap.

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