Missing the Mark: Why These Golf Stars Fell Short at the 2026 U.S. Open

The 2026 U.S. Open has come and gone, leaving behind a trail of disappointed golfers and a few unexpected storylines. Among those who missed the cut are some of the biggest names in the sport, each with their own unique tale of woe. Bryson DeChambeau's struggles have been well-documented, and his missed cut at Shinnecock Hills marked the fourth time in five majors he has failed to make it to the weekend. DeChambeau has been fighting a right miss with his irons and a left miss with his driver and woods, but the two-time U.S. Open champion remains optimistic about his chances in future majors.

“No, to be honest, missed cuts are gonna happen,” DeChambeau said in a recent interview. “I might miss all four of them in majors this year. That's just golf. Like, I'm playing great. I just haven't shown up when it mattered most. But I've played well out here on LIV, and I'm working on my golf swing really hard, and, I feel like it's in a really solid place. It's very close to some of my best golf ever.”

Another major disappointment was Viktor Hovland, who was in the mix on Sunday at last year's U.S. Open and has been able to grind out good major rounds despite issues with his swing. However, a brutal opening round in easier conditions doomed his chances at Shinnecock, and he will not be playing the weekend. Hovland's struggles may be attributed to the pressure of playing well, despite his calm demeanor on the course.

Sergio Garcia, the defending U.S. Open champion, has been playing well lately, winning in Texas in March and putting himself in the mix at Colonial and Memorial after a putter change a few weeks ago. However, he shot an opening-round 77 and exited the tournament early. With his recent performances, Garcia's missed cut is a surprising turn of events that leaves many questioning what went wrong.

Justin Thomas, the world's number one golfer, was also in the mix before missing the cut. Thomas has been struggling with his putter, making only one birdie on Friday afternoon. His missed cut at Shinnecock marks the second consecutive major he has failed to make the weekend cut. Thomas's struggles may be attributed to the change he has made to his putter, which has taken time to adjust to.

Cameron Smith, who won the 2025 Players Championship, was another player who failed to make a splash at Shinnecock. Smith has been struggling with his game, and his missed cut at the 2024 Masters did not bode well for his chances. Despite his talent and experience, Smith struggled to control his emotions on Friday, ultimately missing the cut by five shots. His missed cut is a reminder that even the best golfers can have bad days.

Jon Rahm, who has been playing well this season, also missed the cut at Shinnecock. A brutal second round in tough conditions saw him drop down the leaderboard, and ultimately, he finished five shots over par. Rahm's struggles on the course may be attributed to the physical demands of the U.S. Open, which requires golfers to push their bodies to the limit. Rahm is known for his athleticism and endurance, which are key attributes for success in major championships.

Rory McIlroy, who has had success in the past, struggled to find his rhythm at Shinnecock. A tough second round saw him drop from a one-stroke lead to one shot under par. McIlroy's missed cut marks the fifth time in his last seven majors that he has failed to make a weekend cut. Despite his struggles, McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances in future majors, citing his work on the course as his priority.

The missed cuts by these golf stars have left fans and enthusiasts wondering what went wrong. Was it mental pressure, lack of practice, or just a case of bad luck? As golf fans, we can only watch and wait, hoping that our favorite golfers will bounce back and return to glory in future majors.

The 2026 U.S. Open has been one for the books, with many upsets and surprises along the way. Among them, the missed cuts by these top golfers left many disappointed, but ultimately, it's a reminder that even the best golfers can have off days. As the game continues to evolve, we can expect more upsets and surprises in future majors. The question is, who will be the next big name to fall victim to the pressure of competition?

Golf is a game of ups and downs, and even the best golfers can have a bad day. The missed cuts by these top golfers serve as a reminder that golf is not just a physical game, but also a mental one. As the sport continues to grow, we can expect more exciting storylines and surprises in future majors.