DeChambeau Targets US Open Redemption at Shinnecock Hills Amid Major Struggles and LIV Golf Turmoil

Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time US Open champion, arrives at Shinnecock Hills for the 2026 US Open facing an unfamiliar challenge: he is no longer among the tournament favourites. The 32-year-old has experienced a dramatic decline in major championship performance over the past year, missing the cut in three of his last four majors after previously recording six top-10 finishes in succession, including back-to-back runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship.

DeChambeau's struggles have coincided with a turbulent period both on and off the course. His major championship form has deteriorated sharply since defending his US Open title at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024, when he edged out Rory McIlroy. Since then, he missed the cut at last year's US Open by three strokes, recovered to a top-10 finish at The Open Championship despite an opening 78, and suffered a final-hole triple-bogey that cost him the cut at The Masters. Most recently, he failed to reach the weekend at the PGA Championship last month with an opening-round 76. According to Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, DeChambeau's iron play has been substandard and his short game "atrocious" during his recent major championship appearances.

Off the course, DeChambeau faces significant uncertainty regarding the future of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed tour that has claimed much of his attention and energy. Despite his major championship struggles, DeChambeau continues to perform well on the LIV circuit, having already secured two wins in 2026 with five top-11 finishes in his last six LIV starts. The 32-year-old has admitted to placing extra pressure on himself at majors while simultaneously becoming a driving force in LIV Golf's ongoing efforts to secure new investment and ensure its survival beyond the current season. Fellow LIV player Laurie Canter revealed that DeChambeau has been instrumental in strategic planning conversations and frequently participates in daily calls regarding the tour's future—a level of distraction that Canter acknowledged "wouldn't work for most other golfers."

Analysts suggest that DeChambeau's involvement in resolving LIV Golf's uncertain future, combined with the broader industry flux affecting multiple players, may have contributed to his recent decline. However, DeChambeau's consistent performance on the LIV circuit and his five top-11 finishes in his last six starts demonstrate that he retains the capability to contend. At Shinnecock Hills, he will attempt to avoid three consecutive major championship missed cuts—a scenario that would represent an unprecedented low point in his career.