Why Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open defence was even worse than you thought

By , Contributing Editor (mainly contributing unwanted sarcasm and iffy golf takes, to be honest)

Bryson DeChambeau arrived at Oakmont looking to defend his US Open crown, but instead made unwanted history by missing the cut.

There’s never a good time to miss the cut at a major, but doing it as the defending champion? That’s brutal. You arrive riding high, ready to defend your crown, and end up packing your bags before the weekend, forced to watch on television as someone else lifts the trophy you came to keep.

Unfortunately for Bryson DeChambeau, that’s exactly how his 2025 US Open went, as he became one of several big names to miss the cut at Oakmont.

Just a year after thrilling fans with his victory at Pinehurst, DeChambeau became only the eighth player this century to miss the cut in their US Open title defence – and the first since Gary Woodland in 2020.

It’s a sharp contrast to his previous defence. After winning at Winged Foot in 2020, DeChambeau managed a respectable T26 finish at Torrey Pines the following year. This time, there was no such silver lining.

Bryson DeChambeau was caught up in a bizarre rules situation at the US Open.

How the last 25 US Open winners have fared in their defence

YEARCHAMPIONDEFENCE
2024Bryson DeChambeauMC
2023Wyndham ClarkT56
2022Matt FitzpatrickT17
2021Jon RahmT12
2020Bryson DeChambeauT26
2019Gary WoodlandMC
2018Brooks Koepka2
2017Brooks Koepka1
2016Dustin JohnsonMC
2015Jordan SpiethT37
2014Martin KaymerMC
2013Justin RoseT12
2012Webb SimpsonT32
2011Rory McIlroyMC
2010Graeme McDowellT14
2009Lucas GloverT58
2008Tiger WoodsT6
2007Ángel CabreraMC
2006Geoff OgilvyT42
2005Michael CampbellMC
2004Retief Goosen T11
2003Jim FurykT48
2002Tiger Woods T20
2001Retief Goosen MC
2000Tiger Woods T12


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