# What is the biggest final-round collapse in golf history?

> Sunday at a major has ended more careers' worth of confidence than it has made. These are the rounds nobody involved wants replayed.

*By YPB Team · Published September 4, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-biggest-final-round-collapse-in-golf-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters**
   Led by six shots on Sunday morning and lost by five to Nick Faldo.
2. **Jean van de Velde at the 1999 Open**
   Needed a double bogey on the last to win and made a triple, then lost the playoff.
3. **Rory McIlroy at the 2011 Masters**
   Led by four after 54 holes and shot an eight-over 80, finishing tied 15th.
4. **Arnold Palmer at the 1966 US Open**
   Led by seven with nine holes to play and lost the playoff to Billy Casper.
5. **Jordan Spieth at the 2016 Masters**
   Led by five through nine holes on Sunday, then made a quadruple bogey at the 12th.
6. **Phil Mickelson at the 2006 US Open**
   Needed a par at the last at Winged Foot and made double bogey.
7. **Adam Scott at the 2012 Open**
   Led by four with four to play at Lytham and bogeyed every one of them.
8. **Rory McIlroy at the 2024 US Open**
   Led by two with four holes left at Pinehurst and bogeyed three of them.
9. **Doug Sanders at the 1970 Open**
   Missed a short putt on the 18th at St Andrews and lost the playoff to Jack Nicklaus.

Tags: sports, golf, all-time