What-ifs for Bryson, Reed after top-5 finishes at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. – For Bryson DeChambeau, it was the irons. For Patrick Reed, it was the putter. Hopes of slipping on a green jacket Sunday evaporated for each LIV Golf player due to those costly uncooperative clubs in the final round of the Masters.

Reed finished solo third at 9 under, two shots behind playoff winner Rory McIlroy, after shooting his second consecutive 3-under 69. DeChambeau shot a final-round 75 to finish tied for fifth at 7 under.

RELATED: Best of social media for final round | Photo gallery Sunday at the Masters

They were among five LIV Golf players inside the top 15 on the final leaderboard. Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton finished in a six-way tie for 14th at 3 under. The five LIV Golf players inside the top 15 is the most in any of the 11 majors since LIV Golf's debut in the summer of 2022.

Despite their solid collective results, Sunday afternoon had the potential to be much more rewarding for DeChambeau and Reed. Instead, they were left contemplating the what-ifs.

“The putter killed me. Killed me this week,” said Reed, the 4Aces GC star who was one of just two players in the field to shoot all four rounds under par. “Really lost my opportunity to win a green jacket because of the putter.”

“If I just had somewhat of good iron play this week, it would’ve been a lot different outcome,” added DeChambeau, the Crushers GC captain. “But could have, should have, would haves.”

DeChambeau, who started the day two shots behind McIlroy in the final group, briefly grabbed the lead after a birdie at the par-5 second that came on the heels of McIlroy’s opening double bogey.

He gave the lead back on the next hole, the par-4 third, making bogey while McIlroy made birdie. He actually was pleased with his approach shot to 20 feet but was surprised when his birdie attempt went 9 feet past, and he couldn’t save par.

“I thought for no valid reason, it went 9 feet by,” DeChambeau said. “There’s no way that putt goes that far by. I just didn’t realize how firm and fast it could get out here. It’s great experience. Won’t let that happen again.”

The two-time U.S. Open champ could never escape the fact that his iron play was off. He left himself in too many precarious positions, and it proved costly during the next 10 holes when he dropped five strokes.

The defining moment came with his 9-iron on the par-4 11th at the start of Amen Corner. He had managed to avoid damage in the previous six holes with a string of pars, but his approach found the water, leading to a crippling double bogey.

“I just tried to hit a draw in there and it started five degrees left,” DeChambeau explained, “and I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’”

Reed, the 2018 Masters champ, started the day six shots off the lead, which would’ve required a legendary rally to have any chance. Two bogeys in his first three holes compounded the challenge, but when he reeled off four consecutive birdies to finish his front nine, at least it became a bit more interesting.

“I’m still five back, so I knew I needed some help,” Reed said. “Hey, he [McIlroy] gave me some help. I just didn’t capitalize on it.”

That’s because of the flatstick, which Reed has mentioned all week as being missing in action. It finally ended his hopes at the par-5 13th when he three-putted from inside 5 feet.

He said his birdie putt hit a shiny patch that caused the ball to skid and go hard left, catching the lip and going 4 feet the other way. He then missed the par save.

“Honestly, you’re more upset about the first one because you feel like you should make it,” Reed said. “I feel like I hit a good putt. To win at Augusta, you can’t miss putts like that. You can’t miss the short ones.”

His long-shot chance for a second Masters title was lost at that point, but Reed did have one feel-good moment left in his bag, as his approach from 146 yards at the par-4 17th one-hopped into the cup for an eagle, moving him to 9 under.

Not only did it earn him some crystal glasses – given to Masters competitors for any eagle – but the solo third is his best Masters finish since his victory.

It also enhanced his chances of playing in other majors this year. He moved up to 49th in the world rankings, which means he'll likely get an invite to next month's PGA Championship (usually given to the top 100) and may also qualify for the U.S. Open (he'll need to stay inside the top 60 as of May 19).

“To make that was really cool because you sit there and go, hey, mathematically I might have a chance,” Reed said. “Anytime you can make an eagle and have hardware around here is awesome. Just wish I could have got off to a little better start and had a chance because my putter was cold.”

Still, he walked off the 18th green feeling confident about future opportunities to win a second green jacket, having finished inside the top five in two of the last three Masters. “The game is where it needs to be,” Reed said. “I’m doing things the right way. Now it’s just put it all together and make some putts.”

Despite the disappointment of Sunday, DeChambeau should also be feeling good about his chances moving forward at Augusta National. He tied for sixth last year and tied for fifth this year, his best result in nine starts here. He was in contention despite never really feeling comfortable with his iron play.

“There’s a lot to take away from this week, a lot to learn, a lot to be proud off, a lot to be pissed about,” DeChambeau said. “But I learned a lot and I’m ready to take the challenge on again. … I’m excited for the rest of my life.”

The 2026 Masters starts April 9.