Jon Rahm has had his say on the dramatic finale of the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2 last week.
Rory McIlroy was left to rue two short missed putts toward the back end of his fourth round, which allowed Bryson DeChambeau to clinch his second major title.
The Northern Irishman’s wait for his fifth major win goes on – and the 35-year-old is now taking time out ahead of The Open at Royal Troon next month.
A short missed par putt on the 72nd hole ultimately proved fatal to McIlroy. At face value, the par attempt seemed straightforward, but Rahm – who missed the event due to injury – insisted it was anything but.
Jon Rahm defends Rory McIlroy’s missed putt on 18
Speaking ahead of LIV Golf Nashville this weekend, the Spaniard has suggested golf commentator Smylie Kaufman severely underplayed how tricky McIlroy’s downhill putt actually was, a comment which Rahm admitted really annoyed him.
He explained: “One of the things that absolutely burned me, and I think it was Smylie who said it, he severely underplayed how difficult Rory’s putt on 18 was.
“He said it was a left-centre putt. If you hit that putt left centre and miss the hole, you are off the green because of how much slope there is. You could see Rory aiming at least a cup left from three feet.”
The 29-year-old went on to suggest it can be difficult to portray just how challenging a course can truly be.
Rahm added: “They severely underplayed how difficult that putt was, severely. I think that can happen a few times, but unless you have been there on the golf course or, are playing it or have played it, it is hard to truly explain how difficult the golf course can be. A lot of times, they only have five seconds to say something quickly, so I don’t blame them!”
Smylie Kaufman did make an excellent point about Rory McIlroy’s third shot on 18
Despite perhaps underplaying the difficulty of McIlroy’s putt, Kaufman made an excellent point about the Northern Irishman’s third shot on 18.
Speaking on the Smylie Show on Monday, Kaufman suggested most pros wouldn’t have left themselves a downhill putt.
He said: “Plenty of guys would’ve missed it, but the chip shot, I would’ve said if you put a lot of guys on the chip shot, the majority of them would’ve left it short in that scenario, which would’ve been the much easier putt.”
For McIlroy, a series of bad decisions culminated in his downfall at Pinehurst. His club selection on 15 and 18, coupled with his putting woes, ultimately cost him.
There are several questions for the 35-year-old to answer when he returns to action.
And the best way for McIlroy to put to bed his Pinehurst nightmare will be to go and win at The Open at Royal Troon next month.
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