Joel Dahmen's Devastating Three-Hole Collapse Costs Him Corales Puntacana Victory
Joel Dahmen suffered a devastating collapse in the final three holes of the Corales Puntacana Championship, surrendering his lead to finish second behind Garrick Higgo.
Leading by one shot with three holes remaining, Dahmen bogeyed 16, 17, and 18 to finish at 13-under, one stroke behind Higgo. The collapse included a missed putt inside two feet on the 17th hole.
"I think I'm in a little bit of shock," Dahmen said afterward. "It's not how you win a golf tournament. I don't deserve to win it. Bogeying the last three is inexcusable."
The 37-year-old, who won this event in 2021, was fighting his swing down the stretch. A pull-hook on 16 from the middle of the fairway started the downward spiral.
Despite trying a new approach to embrace the nerves rather than suppress them, Dahmen couldn't execute in the crucial moments. The loss was particularly difficult as he had controlled the tournament through 69 holes.
"This one could take a while to get over," admitted Dahmen. "You learn more in defeat, unfortunately. I felt like I was in a good head space, but sometimes your body doesn't cooperate."
The defeat overshadowed what has been an improved season for Dahmen, who already has three top-10 finishes in 2025 after managing just one the previous year.