Rory McIlroy will have wanted to hide from the entire world after his US Open collapse at Pinehurst No. 2.
The world number two made two glaring putting errors in his final round in North Carolina, paving the way for Bryson DeChambeau to lift the trophy.
The Northern Irishman has done his best to put the past behind him, with many ‘people within golf’ reaching out to McIlroy after the US Open.
He is now focusing all of his efforts on the Scottish Open, having won the competition at The Renaissance Club last time out.
Many in the golfing world, including McIlroy, should now be keen to move away from the US Open collapse as soon as possible.
Smylie Kaufman responds to Rory McIlroy calling him out
But McIlroy was forced to look back on the event once more when Smylie Kaufman criticised his caddie Harry Diamond for some of the decisions made at Pinehurst.
The four-time major champion wasn’t happy with the comments from the likes of Kaufman and Hank Haney, with McIlroy labelling the criticism of Diamond as ‘unfair’.
Kaufman has now responded to McIlroy’s comments, writing on X: “The 15th hole that day I suggested that I felt like 7 iron was too much club and that 8 iron was the safer option considering where he stood in the tournament.
“There is an element of luck involved in Pinehurst and no doubt he was unlucky there at 15 with where his ball ended up.
“Similar to the really good 5 iron he hit that day at 5 that ended up in a worse spot. It really is an impossible course to caddie on as it is so complex to try to figure out what club to pull.
“When good shots end up in bad places I always have to question the decision making as it’s my job to do so.
“I have nothing but respect for Rory and Harry as I think they make a great team and wishing them both the best this week and future weeks.”
Rory McIlroy told to change his caddie after his US Open collapse
McIlroy and Diamond have enjoyed a strong partnership on the course, with the duo winning plenty of silverware alongside one another.
But the latter came under huge fire during that final round of the US Open, with many golf fans telling McIlroy that he needs to change his caddie if he is to win another major.
He carded bogeys on three of his last four holes at Pinehurst, with his decision to drive the 18th coming under particular scrutiny.
Par putts within four feet were missed on the 16th and 18th, with DeChambeau keeping his composure to win by just one shot.
McIlroy took a lengthy break following the nightmare final round, but is now back on the course at the Scottish Open, where he is the defending champion.
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