Golf’s 2024 major season started off with a banger last month. Scottie Scheffler proved the bookies right as he romped to glory in the Masters at Augusta. Heading into the tournament, the American was the favorite and he duly lived up to the billing, dominating the field throughout four intense days of action.
The 27-year-old New Jersey native was on the front foot from the get-go. He hit a blistering six-under-par on day one, only bettered by compatriot Bryson DeChambeau. On a difficult day two, both frontrunners managed to keep their composure. Sheffler shot a par-for-the-course 72, while the overnight leader dropped down a stroke after shooting a 73. The third day began with a three-way tie, with Max Homa sitting with Sheffler and DeChambeau at the top of the standings.
It was on the Saturday that two of that leading trio fell away. Scheffler managed to remain in control, finishing one-under-par to take the overall lead. From there, he never looked back. On Championship Sunday, he was in scintillating form once more, finishing the day four-under-par and 11 under-par overall to secure the Green Jacket. DeChambeau, meanwhile, finished his third straight day by scoring over par, resulting in a disappointing collapse.
His capitulation, however, was somewhat more modest and prolonged compared to the following two golfers. Here are the two worst collapses in major championship history.
Rory McIlroy’s Augusta Nightmare
Heading into 2024, many expected Rory McIlroy to be a contender in all four majors. Popular odds comparison site Oddschecker has him listed as an 11/1 second favorite for the upcoming tournament. The site has a bucketload on offer for the event event. Offers such as welcome bonuses, promotions and referral bonuses are all up for grabs and, for those who are new to betting, Oddschecker explains how they work as well.
McIlroy is no stranger to being a contender, just as he will be again at Valhalla. Back in 2011, the Northern Irish star was on the brink of his first major title, heading into the final day at the Masters as the runaway leader, four strokes clear of his nearest competitor. It appeared that he was on the brink of the coveted Green Jacket, but things were about to go badly wrong on a tumultuous final day.
The collapse began with a devastating triple-bogey on the 10th hole, quickly compounded by a double-bogey two holes later, derailing any hopes of victory. His dream of winning faded into the distance. McIlroy finished the round with a disheartening score of 80 for the day, a disastrous eight over-par, dropping him down to 15th position.
More than a decade later, the British star has risen to become the preeminent golfer of his era, with four major championships to his name. Despite his success, the Masters remains an elusive target. McIlroy’s closest brush with victory at the Masters came in 2022 when he mounted a remarkable comeback to secure a second-place finish, falling three shots short of eventual champion Scheffler. He will be aiming to lift his first major in over a decade at some point in 2024.
Jean van der Velde Stripped of Open Glory
The 1999 Open Championship is etched in history as the scene of Jean van de Velde’s tragic turn of fate. Standing on the brink of triumph at Carnoustie’s last fairway, the Dutchman held a commanding three-shot lead that seemed unassailable, yet unforeseen calamity was on the horizon. His initial drive veered off course, landing in the rough, which initiated a series of mishaps that would result in one of the most unforgettable, sorrowful conclusions.
In an attempt to salvage his round, van de Velde waded into the water hazard, prepared to hit out stripped down to just his underwear, a decision that symbolized the desperation of the moment. Despite this bold move, his efforts did not pay off. The hole concluded with a triple-bogey, snatching defeat from what appeared to be certain victory, in a manner as dramatic as it was unforeseen.