Golf requires immense mental fortitude and focus, but sometimes we have witnessed golfers ride what seemed like a sure-fire winning wave only to collapse just moments away from achieving greatness. As the saying goes, it’s never over until it’s over. You can claim the lead for most of the tournament but fall in the final round due to a missed putt or a bad shot. Having an almost guaranteed victory that could have changed the trajectory of your career stripped away can be heartbreakingly haunting, leaving a permanent stain on your resume. Join us as we unearth some of the most devastating collapses in golf history.
Jean van de Velde – 1999 Open Championship
Many golf fans concur that no choke in history matches that of Jean Van de Velde at the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie. He reached the 72nd hole with a three-stroke lead, only needing a double bogey to become the first Frenchman to win The Open since 1907. Confident and aiming for a grandstand finish, Van de Velde’s downfall began with an errant drive, followed by a disappointing second shot that went miles right and bounced off a grandstand before settling in knee-high rough. Determined not to let the golden moment slip by, he attempted to skillfully hit the ball out of the rough and over the Barry Burn to the green, but unfortunately, it landed in the water.
What followed next was even more visually arresting – he rolled up his trousers, removed his shoes and socks, and stood ankle-deep in the Barry Burn, considering sploshing the ball out. Common sense finally got the best of him, and he took a drop, hitting his next shot into a green side bunker and forcing a playoff against Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie. As fate had it, home hero Lawrie took full advantage of Van de Velde’s misfortunes to win the playoff, culminating in arguably the worst final round collapse in golf history.
Greg Norman – 1996 Masters
Greg Norman’s career is full of near misses but none more painful than his implosion at the 1996 Masters. He led by 6 shots going into Sunday and seemed to have the green jacket in his pocket. But the final round was a nightmare: Norman shot 78 (+6) while playing partner Nick Faldo shot 67 (-5) to win by 5 shots. It wasn’t sudden but agonisingly steady – bogeys, water balls, and mounting pressure unravelled Norman’s lead hole by hole. It’s one of the most infamous collapses in Masters history.
Rory McIlroy – 2011 Masters
Rory McIlroy was 21 and on the verge of his first major when he teed off in the final round of the 2011 Masters with a 4-shot lead. He held his nerve for the first 9 holes. But the back 9 at Augusta was merciless. A hooked drive on 10 led to a triple bogey and the wheels came off from there – he shot 80 and finished tied 15th. He would go on to win 4 majors but this collapse was a defining moment that showed what it takes to win at Augusta.
Jordan Spieth – 2016 Masters
Another Augusta collapse came courtesy of Jordan Spieth, the defending champion in 2016. He led by 5 shots at the turn and seemed to be in total control until a horror stretch on the back 9. On the 12th hole he hit 2 balls in the water and carded a quadruple bogey that handed the lead to Danny Willett. Spieth couldn’t recover and Willett went on to win his only major. It was a stunning and emotional collapse that showed how quickly things can change at Augusta.
Dustin Johnson – 2010 U.S. Open
Dustin Johnson led by 3 shots going into the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach but it all fell apart quickly. A triple bogey on 2 set the tone for an 82 (+11) that eliminated him from the tournament. Johnson’s length and confidence made the collapse even more shocking. He would go on to win a U.S. Open in 2016 but this 2010 collapse is still one of the most shocking Sunday meltdowns in golf.
Final Thoughts
These Sunday collapses are more than just a footnote in golf history – they’re a dramatic reminder of the mental game of golf. For every great Sunday finish there’s a golfer who couldn’t keep it together when it mattered most. As the saying goes, it’s never quite over until it’s over and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.