Bryson DeChambeau entered the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club looking to bounce back after missing the cut at The Masters last month. Instead, the two-time U.S. Open champion opened with a 6-over 76 on Thursday and finished the day well outside the projected cut line.
DeChambeau’s difficult start left him tied for 130th after the opening round of the PGA Championship, with the projected cut sitting around 3-over par. The LIV Golf star struggled throughout the day with inconsistent driving, poor iron play, and costly mistakes around the greens.
The rough and windy conditions at Aronimink caused problems for several players, including Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark, but DeChambeau’s round drew additional attention after Golf Channel analyst Ryan Lavner shared concerns about what he saw on the practice range following the round.
Ryan Lavner Questions Bryson DeChambeau’s Swing at PGA Championship
GettyBryson DeChambeau of the United States
Lavner said DeChambeau spent close to an hour on the driving range after his round, trying to work through swing issues.
Speaking on the “Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Lav,” Lavner said, “He was clearly not comfortable with his swing. He started missing left, thought he had figured that out, and then all of a sudden started missing right. He absolutely could not figure it out.”
Lavner added that DeChambeau hit “three buckets of balls” after finishing his round and noted that his struggles extended beyond ball striking.
“The biggest issue for Bryson was not even his ball striking,” Lavner said. “That was mediocre or middling, it was his work around the greens. Up and down with just one in seven chances. He ended up losing a field worse three and a half shots around the green.”
DeChambeau’s only birdie of the day came on the par-5 ninth hole, his final hole of the round. According to Lavner, DeChambeau did not speak with reporters afterward.
Golf Channel analyst Rex Hoggard also pointed to DeChambeau’s approach play on the 11th hole as a turning point during the round.
“He hit a horrible wedge shot, which bounced long and he ended up putting himself in an impossible position,” Hoggard said. “You can get angry at the green and your first putt which ran all the way off the green on the other side but you put yourself in that position.”
Hoggard noted that Aronimink’s severe green slopes and thick rough created a demanding setup during Thursday’s opening round.
Johnson Wagner Raises Concerns About Bryson DeChambeau in Windy Conditions
CBS analyst Johnson Wagner also questioned whether DeChambeau’s style fits difficult weather conditions and the setups of major championships.
Speaking on Golf on CBS’ YouTube channel, Wagner said, “Honestly, I don’t think he’s a very good wind player. He has a real issue bringing the flight down on shots.”
Wagner connected those struggles to DeChambeau’s performance history at major championships played in difficult conditions.
“He had a nice finish at Portrush last year. The only day it really blew was the first round where he shot 76,” Wagner said. “When conditions are perfect he’s one of the best in the game, but he’s shown a complete inability to adapt when things get tough.”
Wagner also mentioned uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf as another possible factor affecting DeChambeau’s form.
“There’s so many outside factors going on with a handful of these guys too,” Wagner said. “Where am I going to play? What am I going to do? I just don’t think it’s a full tear down. I mean, it is concerning. It’s very concerning.”
DeChambeau has publicly stated his commitment to LIV Golf while also discussing other opportunities outside traditional professional golf competition.
The difficult start at Aronimink now leaves the 31-year-old needing a strong second round Friday to avoid missing the cut at consecutive major championships for the first time in recent years.
The top 70 players and ties will advance to the weekend at the PGA Championship.
Bryson DeChambeau Has Concerning News Emerge at PGA Championship