The Biggest Blunder of Every Golf Star's Career

Even the greatest golfers on the globe are susceptible to significant second-guessing. Stars of the sport must practically flirt with perfection in order to claim a title at the game's most elite level, so errors end up under the microscope even when they're not all that glaring.

A variety of elements can lead to a mistake of epic proportions.

Perhaps it's overconfidence or, conversely, cowardice that dooms an otherwise dominant player. Sometimes, it's simply failure to execute a shot converted hundreds of times before. 

We cast the spotlight on several of the PGA's current stars, who've earned millions of dollars and multiple championships, to prove that no one is exempt from the pain of making a big-time blunder.

Rory McIlroy Makes a Mess of Augusta's Back Nine

Before Rory McIlroy made his way to the winner's podium at the 2011 U.S. Open, he seemed primed to claim a green jacket at the 2011 Masters. The Northern Irishman, then 21 years old, started Sunday at 12 under par, pacing the field with a four-stroke advantage.

By the time McIlroy reached Augusta's notoriously treacherous back nine, his lead was trimmed to one shot. From that point, viewers across the planet could only cringe as the promising youngster fell apart. 

He picked up a triple-bogey on the 10th hole. It took him five shots to reach the green on the momentum-killing hole, including an attempt that caught part of a tree branch.

McIlroy ultimately tumbled to 15th place following an eight-over 80 final round. The nightmarish experience served as a learning experience for the game's rising star.

"I think it's a Sunday at a major, what it can do," he told USA Today after signing his scorecard. "This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I'm in this position, I'll be able to handle it a little better. I didn't handle it particularly well today, obviously, but it was a character-building day. Put it that way. I'll come out stronger for it."

Phil Mickelson Gets Way Too Bold at Winged Foot

Even the greatest golfers on the globe are susceptible to significant second-guessing. Stars of the sport must practically flirt with perfection in order to claim a title at the game's most elite level, so errors end up under the microscope even when they're not all that glaring.

A variety of elements can lead to a mistake of epic proportions.

Perhaps it's overconfidence or, conversely, cowardice that dooms an otherwise dominant player. Sometimes, it's simply failure to execute a shot converted hundreds of times before. 

We cast the spotlight on several of the PGA's current stars, who've earned millions of dollars and multiple championships, to prove that no one is exempt from the pain of making a big-time blunder.

Tiger Woods Takes Controversial Two-Stroke Penalty at 2013 Masters

Even the greatest golfers on the globe are susceptible to significant second-guessing. Stars of the sport must practically flirt with perfection in order to claim a title at the game's most elite level, so errors end up under the microscope even when they're not all that glaring.

A variety of elements can lead to a mistake of epic proportions.

Perhaps it's overconfidence or, conversely, cowardice that dooms an otherwise dominant player. Sometimes, it's simply failure to execute a shot converted hundreds of times before. 

We cast the spotlight on several of the PGA's current stars, who've earned millions of dollars and multiple championships, to prove that no one is exempt from the pain of making a big-time blunder.

Adam Scott Collapse Costs Him Claret Jug

Even the greatest golfers on the globe are susceptible to significant second-guessing. Stars of the sport must practically flirt with perfection in order to claim a title at the game's most elite level, so errors end up under the microscope even when they're not all that glaring.

A variety of elements can lead to a mistake of epic proportions.

Perhaps it's overconfidence or, conversely, cowardice that dooms an otherwise dominant player. Sometimes, it's simply failure to execute a shot converted hundreds of times before. 

We cast the spotlight on several of the PGA's current stars, who've earned millions of dollars and multiple championships, to prove that no one is exempt from the pain of making a big-time blunder.

Dustin Johnson Brought Down by Bunker Confusion

Even the greatest golfers on the globe are susceptible to significant second-guessing. Stars of the sport must practically flirt with perfection in order to claim a title at the game's most elite level, so errors end up under the microscope even when they're not all that glaring.

A variety of elements can lead to a mistake of epic proportions.

Perhaps it's overconfidence or, conversely, cowardice that dooms an otherwise dominant player. Sometimes, it's simply failure to execute a shot converted hundreds of times before. 

We cast the spotlight on several of the PGA's current stars, who've earned millions of dollars and multiple championships, to prove that no one is exempt from the pain of making a big-time blunder.