Much has been made of Rory McIlroy’s collapse at the US Open a few weeks ago and Colin Montgomerie has now waded into the row as well.
McIlroy missed two short putts on 16 and then 18 to miss out to Bryson DeChambeau and as we all know, he made a quick exit from Pinehurst.
However, while the two putts made the headlines, much has also been made of McIlroy’s club selection as he came down the stretch.
In particular, the decision to take driver on the 18th hole and end up hitting into the deep rough.
McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, has come in for some criticism because of that.
And while McIlroy has defended his friend and partner this week at the Scottish Open, former Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie has said that in the end, Diamond and McIlroy got it wrong.
Colin Montgomerie has his say on Harry Diamond and Rory McIlroy
Speaking in an interview for The Times, Montgomerie has said that McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, should have been firmer on the club choice.
“He hadn’t done it all week and the caddie should have stopped him,” Montgomerie said.
“Bryson was missing every fairway, the worst in the field on Sunday. At the end, he was just thrashing it and it was a long drive competition.
“What a bunker shot, of course, but he got the luck and Rory didn’t.”
McIlroy will know deep down he made an error
Ultimately, golf comes down to moments at times and at the US Open, McIlroy and his caddie simply got it wrong on that final hole.
McIlroy will know, looking back, that he should have made a different decision.
Of course, the idea that it’s all on the caddie is perhaps a bit harsh on Harry Diamond here and that’s why McIlroy has come out and defended his friend so much.
At the end of the day, McIlroy is the one taking the shot on and making it and on 18 at Pinehurst, he got it wrong.
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