Michael Thorbjornsen’s bid to win The Players Championship ended in dramatic fashion as he tumbled down the leaderboard after a quadruple bogey (8) at the Par 4 5th hole during the final round at TPC Sawgrass. The American entered the day with a real chance of winning the event but a disastrous hole early in the round quickly ended his hopes.
Thorbjornsen’s Promising Start Ends In Disappointing Fashion
Thorbjornsen was firmly in contention heading into Sunday after an excellent first three rounds that left him just three shots behind leader Ludvig Åberg. The 24-year-old had posted rounds of 74, 65, and 67 to reach 10-under-par after 54 holes. That placed him second on the leaderboard and paired him with Åberg in the final group for the last round.
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The American, who turned professional in 2024 after playing college golf at Stanford, has been considered one of the most promising young talents in the game. A victory would have been the biggest win of his career and his first title on the PGA Tour. However, things quickly fell apart, and his wait for a first title on the PGA Tour continued.
Thorbjornsen’s drive missed the fairway and landed in trouble to the left on the short par-4 fifth hole. He then chose to lay up from just 104 yards rather than attack the green when faced with a poor lie and a risky approach shot over water. His third shot ended up in the water hazard guarding the green, then he blew his first putt past the hole and three-putted for a quadruple bogey-8, dropping from a share of second to outside the top 10 at TPC Sawgrass.
🚨❌🎱 #QUAD — Michael Thorbjornsen tumbles down the leaderboard after a quadruple bogey (8) at the Par 4, 5th.
pic.twitter.com/GHwhfQzsaz— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 15, 2026
Thorbjornsen’s Wait For First PGA Tour Title Continues
The quadruple bogey immediately pushed Thorbjornsen down the leaderboard as Åberg and the other contenders continued to apply pressure. The Swedish star had entered the final round leading at 13-under-par and remained the player everyone else was chasing.
Despite the setback, Thorbjornsen’s performance for most of the week showed why he is regarded as one of the sport’s brightest young players. The 24-year-old finished first in the 2024 PGA Tour University standings to earn his tour card, and despite his excellent start at the TPC Sawgrass, he will have to wait a little longer for his first win on the PGA Tour. Thorbjornsen had seven top fives in 51 career starts entering this week, including a pair of runner-ups finishes.
The quadruple bogey may have ended his title hopes, but Thorbjornsen’s strong week showed he has the game to contend again soon.
Main Photo Credit: © Jeff Romance-Imagn Images
