Rory McIlroy has hit back at some of the criticism he has heard in the wake of his final round at the US Open, labelling one particular claim ‘unfair’.
Rory McIlroy would have always known that he would have to answer questions about what happened on Sunday at the US Open upon his return to the game, particularly with the Northern Irishman leaving Pinehurst before he had a chance to speak to the media.
McIlroy missed out in one of the all-time great major championship duels, with Bryson DeChambeau beating him by one in North Carolina. It appeared that the 35-year-old had the tournament in his grasp at one stage, leading by two heading down the stretch.
However, bogeys on three of the last four holes presented DeChambeau with the chance to get the job done, with the first coming when McIlroy flew a seven iron off the back of the par three 15th green. And there was also astonishment when he decided to take a driver on 18. Unfortunately, McIlroy was unable to vindicate that decision as he went on to make a bogey.
Rory McIlroy hits back at criticism of caddie after US Open
Some of the criticism was aimed at McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond, with Hank Haney and Smylie Kaufman amongst those who made comments.
And speaking in his press conference ahead of the Scottish Open, McIlroy shared what he made of the claims that he needed a stronger caddie in those moments.
“It’s certainly unfair. Hank Haney has never been in that position, Smylie has been in that position once and I loved him, and he was in that position on 18. But just because Harry is not as vocal or as loud with his words as other caddies doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything or do anything.
“I just wish that these guys that criticise when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.
“Where were they when I won in Dubai earlier this year or Quail Hollow or the two FedeX Cups I won with Harry or three Race to Dubais. They are never there to say Harry did such a great job when I win, but they always criticise when I don’t win. They are not there, they are not in the arena, they are not the ones hitting the shots or making the decision.
“Someone said to me once if you would never take advice from these people then you would never take their criticisms either. I certainly wouldn’t go to Hank Haney for advice. And I love Smylie, but I think I know what I’m doing out there and so does Harry.”
What has been forgotten about McIlroy’s partnership with caddie after final day at Pinehurst
The problem McIlroy’s critics have is that they do not know all of the conversations which went on between the pair on that back nine. Diamond is not a novice, and McIlroy is certainly no stranger to competing in major championships.
Another caddie may have insisted that he took an eight iron on 15, or a three wood on 18, but that does not necessarily mean that McIlroy would have listened.
What has also been somewhat forgotten is that McIlroy took the lead in the tournament with Diamond on the bag, so their partnership clearly works most of the time.
Ultimately, if McIlroy managed to hole the two short putts on 16 and 18, he probably would have won by one. There are so many what if moments, with the tee shots on 15 and 18 proving to be just two of them.
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