Bryson DeChambeau's hopes of climbing the PGA Championship leaderboard took an unexpected detour on Thursday—straight into the stairs of a hospitality tent. The two-time U.S. Open champion's tee shot on No. 2 landed in an awkward spot, leaving him visibly perplexed. "I'm so confused right now," he told officials, summing up a day that quickly spiraled out of control.

DeChambeau shot a 6-over 76 at Aronimink Golf Club, his worst score to par ever in a PGA Championship. It was a frustrating sequel to his struggles at the Masters just six weeks ago, where Amen Corner once again proved unforgiving. Now, he's on the brink of missing the cut in his second straight major—a tough stretch for a player who thrives on precision and power.

The round was a series of missteps. At one point, DeChambeau flubbed a pitch from the rough so badly that the ball landed short of the green and rolled right back to his feet. The initials scrawled in his yardage book seemed to tell the story of the day: confusion, frustration, and a fight that never quite got off the ground.

This 76 marks the fifth time DeChambeau has shot 4-over or higher in the first round of a major. He's made the cut in only two of those instances—the 2018 U.S. Open and the 2021 Masters. The pattern is becoming familiar, but that doesn't make it any easier.

After his round, DeChambeau didn't linger. He headed straight to the scoring tent, then stormed through the parking lot to the driving range. There, he pounded ball after ball, pausing after each swing to review his form on video shot by a member of his team. He didn't speak to the media—a rare silence from a player who usually loves to break down every detail.

DeChambeau, one of LIV Golf's biggest stars, has built a massive following on YouTube, where his "Break 50" series and rounds with Stephen Curry, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Hart have earned him over 2.7 million subscribers. But the video from Aronimink likely won't be making the highlight reel. He's missed the cut in three of his last five Masters appearances, and now he needs a strong rebound on Friday just to stay in contention for the weekend in suburban Philadelphia.

For a player known for rethinking the game, DeChambeau faces a straightforward challenge: find his rhythm, or pack his bags early once again.