PGA Tour Player Loses $1.1 Million In Costly Three Hole Stretch

Taylor Montgomery was almost inconsolable as a bogey - double bogey - triple bogey run cost him over $1 million

Montgomery points right whilst watching his tee shot
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Standing on the 15th tee at The Players Championship, Taylor Montgomery sat in a tie for fourth place and was staring at a paycheck of over $1 million. An hour later, the American found himself four-over-par for his round, in a tie for 44th and with just a $75,000 paycheck.

It was brutal to watch, especially with Montgomery going along very nicely at TPC Sawgrass as he managed to hole a lengthy birdie putt at the 14th to get to three-under for his day.

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However, his hard work unravelled on the par 4 15th, as he failed to get up-and-down from off the edge of the green. That wasn't too bad though, the 15th is a tough hole which had seen a fair few scores being racked up.

Now two-under for his day and nine-under for the tournament, the 28-year-old was still looking at a possible top 5 finish and a paycheck of around $1 million. Pushing his drive at the par 5 16th, he managed to get his third shot up by the green, with a 30-foot birdie putt all but guaranteeing a par that would keep him high up the leaderboard.

But the American missed his first putt and then his second one. Facing a five-foot bogey putt, many were thinking just tap it in and move on to the next. That wouldn't be the case though, with Montgomery ramming it three-feet by and tapping in for a costly double bogey.

Montgomery watches his tee shot

Montgomery's best finish on the PGA Tour is third at the Fortinet Championship, where he pocketed $552,000

(Image credit: Getty Images)

His pain wasn't over though, as not only did he find the water once at the iconic par 3 17th, but twice, as his chip shot rolled into the lake surrounding the island green. Playing five, it was only because of the rough past the flag that his shot didn't fall in to the drink!

Two putting for a triple bogey, the torture wasn't done there as he now faced the hardest hole on the golf course. Rather admirably though, Montgomery managed to par the 18th, but the damage was done, with Montgomery's possible winnings going from $1.1 million to $75,000.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x