Bryson DeChambeau and the Pursuit of Golfing Greatness – And the Occasional Disaster
Golf, a game of precision and mental fortitude, is also a stage for spectacular collapses and unforgettable moments of frustration. While Bryson DeChambeau is known for his innovative approach and incredible power, even the most skilled golfers are susceptible to the occasional disastrous hole. This article delves into some of the highest scores ever recorded on a single hole in professional golf, exploring the stories behind the numbers and the players who etched their names into the record books – for better or worse.
John Daly’s Bay Hill Meltdown: An 18 to Remember (or Forget)
It was the sixth hole at Bay Hill in 1998 that became a permanent fixture in golf’s blooper reel. The par-five, with its aggressive curve around a large lake, tempts long hitters. John Daly, never one to back down from a challenge, opted for the most direct route to the green. What followed was a series of splashes that stunned the gallery. Each attempt to clear the water seemed to fuel Daly’s determination, but ultimately led to further misfortune.
By the time he finally reached dry land and putted out, Daly had carded a staggering 18. He later admitted, “It wasn’t that I didn’t care, but after 32 holes I lost my patience. I had the courage to keep going for it, but I didn’t have the wisdom to bail out.” He described a frustrating cycle of aiming further right, only to hook the ball further left, a classic example of overcompensation gone wrong.
Beyond Daly: The Unwanted Club of 19
While Daly’s 18 at Bay Hill is iconic, he isn’t alone in experiencing such a dramatic hole. The official PGA Tour record for the highest score on a single hole is a 19, shared by three other golfers: Ray Ainsley (1938 U.S. Open), Hans Merrell (1959 Bing Crosby Pro-Am), and Dale Douglass (1963 Bing Crosby Pro-Am).
Ainsley’s 19 is particularly legendary. At Cherry Hills, he hit into a creek and, misunderstanding the rules, spent half an hour attempting to play the ball as it lay, while the current carried it further away. More recently, in September 2025, John Daly himself managed to “one-up” his previous disaster, carding another 19 during a PGA Tour Champions event at the Sanford International.
The Unofficial Record: Tommy Armour’s 23
However, the unofficial record for the highest score on a single hole belongs to Tommy Armour. During the 1927 Shawnee Open, the Hall of Famer reportedly carded a 23 on a par-five. Due to conflicting reports surrounding the circumstances, this score isn’t officially recognized by the tour. You can learn more about the history of golf records at the PGA Tour official website.
Bryson DeChambeau: Risk and Reward in the Modern Game
Today, players like Bryson DeChambeau embody a similar aggressive style to Daly, pushing the boundaries of distance and risk. While DeChambeau hasn’t yet reached the heights of an 18 or 19 on a single hole, his willingness to take on challenging shots and his relentless pursuit of power often lead to dramatic moments on the course. His approach highlights the inherent tension in golf: the balance between calculated risk and the potential for spectacular failure. The pursuit of greatness, like the pursuit of clearing a water hazard in one shot, can sometimes lead to unexpected results.
These stories serve as a reminder that even the best golfers are human, and that golf, at its core, is a game of unpredictable challenges and captivating drama.
