CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Bryson DeChambeau dramatically shifted from a commanding lead to a precarious position during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Starting the day with the outright lead at 8 under par, following a birdie on the 15th, DeChambeau’s momentum quickly stalled, culminating in a shaky finish that saw him battling to secure a top-eight finish. The pressure of the ‘Green Mile’ – Quail Hollow’s notoriously challenging closing stretch – proved too much, ultimately costing him a chance at victory. DeChambeau’s initial surge was fueled by a confident declaration, stating, "I was pumped. I was like, 'All right, in the lead. Let's go. Let's keep pressing.'" However, the dream quickly dissolved as he navigated the final three holes.

On the 16th, a drive of 375 yards landed in the right rough, followed by a struggle with his approach shot, resulting in a bogey and a drop to 7 under. The challenging conditions and shifting wind played a significant role in his misfortune. DeChambeau attempted to regain control on the 17th, but his tee shot went into the lake in front of the green, necessitating a drop and a subsequent double-bogey 5. Despite a par on the 18th, DeChambeau finished the round with a 2-under 69, placing him tied for eighth at 5 under, six strokes behind world No. 1 golfer Scotie Scheffler, who delivered a dominant 6-under 65. Scheffler’s performance solidified his control of the tournament, showcasing a level of precision and consistency that DeChambeau struggled to match.

DeChambeau acknowledged his disadvantage, stating, "All I can do is control what I can control, and if I go out and shoot 6-, 7-under, that's what I'm focused on doing." He admitted, "I’m behind the 8-ball now. I’ve got to get my guns a-blazing tomorrow." The odds were undeniably stacked against DeChambeau, considering historical trends. Remarkably, all but one of the past 35 winners of the PGA Championship had been among the top five after 54 holes, a testament to the importance of a strong start. Similarly, all but one of the past 14 winners were either leading or within two strokes going into the final 18 holes. DeChambeau’s considerable length off the tee – he leads the field with an average driving distance of 331 yards – would have been a crucial advantage, but he struggled with accuracy, only finding five of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens. The pressure and challenging course conditions contributed to his difficulties.

DeChambeau’s frustration was evident as he remarked, "That’s why golf is the worst four-letter word in the world." The final round would require DeChambeau to execute nearly flawless golf to have any realistic chance of contending for the championship, while Scheffler would need to avoid any significant errors.