Expectations were sky-high for Bryson DeChambeau as he teed off at the 2026 PGA Championship. Fresh off back-to-back runner-up finishes at the last two PGAs, the big-hitting star was ready to bomb his way around Aronimink and finally claim his first Wanamaker Trophy.

But Thursday's opening round quickly turned into a nightmare. The course wasn't the only thing stumping DeChambeau—the rules of golf got him, too. And it all started with a wayward tee shot that landed on a staircase.

The trouble began early. On his second hole of the day, the par-4 11th, DeChambeau's approach sailed over the steep green. He then putted 40 feet past the hole, leading to his first bogey. He dropped another shot on the 13th after hitting it long, and by the time he made the turn, he'd carded back-to-back bogeys to shoot 39 on the front nine.

After settling down with six straight pars, the wheels came off again at the 7th hole. Then came the 8th, where his tee shot missed well right of the green, and his chip shot flew to the opposite side of the putting surface. The result: a double bogey that sent him plummeting to seven over par, tied for 106th place.

But the most head-scratching moment came at the par-4 2nd hole—his 11th of the day. Already sitting at four over, DeChambeau pulled out a wood off the tee. The shot ballooned well right of the fairway, heading straight for a grandstand. When the ball finally came to rest, it was sitting on the first step of a staircase leading up to the seating area.

That's when the confusion set in. DeChambeau stood there, seemingly baffled, as he tried to figure out his next move. For a two-time major champion who prides himself on his analytical approach to the game, being stumped by the rules—and the course—was a fitting symbol of a disastrous opening round.

For golf fans, it was a reminder that even the best players can have off days. And for anyone watching at home, it was a lesson in how quickly momentum can swing in this game. Whether you're bombing drives on the PGA Tour or just trying to break 90 at your local course, sometimes the toughest opponent isn't the course—it's the rulebook.