An analysis of historic moments in golf's four major championships where leaders suffered collapses or went 'on holiday' due to injuries, weather, or performance dips, allowing dramatic victors to rise from behind. This list highlights the most significant reversals of fortune in Open Championship, PGA, US Open, and Masters history.
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Ernie Els mounted a staggering seven-shot comeback against Rory McIlroy at Muirfield. After McIlroy's final-round collapse, Els surged up the leaderboard with a six-under 65 to secure his third Claret Jug in a thrilling finish.
Watson held a two-shot lead with two holes to play at Turnberry but lost his rhythm on the final two holes. Tom Weiskopf capitalized on this collapse, shooting a bogey-free 65 to win by one stroke in one of golf's most iconic matches.
Westwood dominated the first three rounds at St Andrews, leading by two shots entering Sunday. However, he shot a final-round 76 while Tiger Woods surged with a 69 to win by five strokes, marking a significant missed opportunity for Westwood.
McDowell led by two shots over Louis Oosthuizen entering the final round at St Andrews. A dramatic late collapse by McDowell allowed Oosthuizen to win by one stroke, a moment that defined McDowell's career struggles at majors for years.
McIlroy held a commanding four-shot lead after Friday's round at Congressional but fell apart with a 77 in the final round. Robert Gamez and Billy Horschel charged, with Horschel finishing second and Gamez third as McIlroy tied for seventh.
After shooting 63 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead, McIlroy struggled significantly on Sunday, shooting a 72. Jordan Spieth capitalized on this drop-off, winning by two shots while McIlroy fell back to tie for sixth.
Gainey entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson. He struggled on the front nine, shooting a 76, while Mickelson surged to win by three shots, marking Gainey's only top-10 major finish.
Westwood held a one-shot lead over Justin Rose entering the final round at St Andrews. A final-round 73 allowed Rose to win by three shots, compounding Westwood's history of narrowly missing major victories in challenging conditions.
While Woods won, his path was fraught with a second-round collapse where he nearly lost the lead entirely to Rocco Mediate. Mediate forced a playoff, highlighting how even dominant players can 'go on holiday' mentally during major pressure.
McDowell led by two shots entering the final round at Muirfield but shot a 73 to lose to Adam Scott by one stroke. This collapse was particularly painful given his previous major win earlier that year in the US Open.
Rose led by two shots after Saturday's round at Merion but struggled on Sunday, shooting a 74. Jason Dufner took advantage of this slip-up, winning by two shots while Rose tied for third, a missed opportunity in a tough major.
Els led by two shots entering the final round at Muirfield but shot a 73 to tie with Vijay Singh. Singh won in a playoff, marking another heartbreak for Els as he failed to capitalize on a strong position.
Mickelson led by one shot entering the final round at Royal St George's but shot a 74. Darren Clarke surged with a 70 to win by two shots, highlighting Mickelson's struggles in major final rounds during this period.
McIlroy held a two-stroke lead entering the final round at Congressional but shot a 69 while Webb Simpson won with a 65. Simpson's consistent play overcame McIlroy's slight slip, marking a missed chance for a third major in two years.
Donald led by three shots after Saturday's round at Congressional but shot a 72. Bill Haas surged with a 70 to win by two shots, marking Donald's worst finish in a major where he led for much of the weekend.
Els held a two-stroke lead entering the final round at Knollwood but struggled to a 72. Keegan Bradley won in a playoff after a famous double bogey putt, marking another major heartbreak for Els in crucial moments.
Woods faced a physical crisis after his second-round 77 at St Andrews, raising fears of injury. His recovery to win by five shots was a mental comeback, contrasting with the 'holiday' from form seen in other majors during that era.
Scott held a one-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell entering the final round at Muirfield but shot a 72. McDowell tied but lost in the playoff, a moment where Scott's slight dip nearly cost him the title.
McIlroy held a two-stroke lead with one hole to play in the final round at Oak Hill. He lost his nerve on the 18th, shooting a bogey to allow Jason Dufner to win by two strokes, a monumental collapse in major history.
Westwood led by one shot after Saturday's round at Royal Liverpool but shot a 71 to finish tied third. Justin Rose won by two shots, marking another instance where Westwood faltered in the final round of a major.