Smylie Kaufman says Rory McIlroy did something brilliant at the US Open that will be completely forgotten

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Smylie Kaufman has claimed Rory McIlroy did something so well during the final round of the US Open that will be forgotten entirely.

The Northern Irishman was left to rue two missed putts during the latter stages of his final round at Pinehurst, which allowed Bryson DeChambeau to land his second major title.

McIlroy is now taking time away from the game ahead of the Scottish Open and The Open Championship, which gets underway at Royal Troon on July 18.

Despite the 35-year-old taking time away from the game, talk over his quickfire exit after his US Open heartache hasn’t died down.

Kaufman has now claimed a really positive part of McIlroy’s performance won’t be remembered due to the manner of his defeat and subsequent exit.

Smylie Kaufman: Rory McIlroy’s putting at Pinehurst will be forgotten

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Speaking on the latest edition of the Sub Par Podcast, Kaufman has claimed McIlroy’s putting during the final round was massively improved compared to his previous major championship outings.

“I think we are going to forget about how well he putted,” said Kaufman. “He putted as good as you could possibly putt on Sunday outside of two putts. He made all the important ones he had to make.

“That to me, if Rory can get past those short misses, there’s a lot to take away positive on a Sunday for putts that he did make. Last year, he wasn’t making those putts at any major championship. He was striping it and wasn’t making anything with the putter. I think we will forget about that.”

All eyes on Rory McIlroy ahead of The Open Championship

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All eyes will now be on McIlroy ahead of the final major championship of the year at Royal Troon.

What happened to him at Pinehurst was nothing short of brutal, and the golfing world will no doubt be expecting a positive response, particularly after taking time away from the game.

The Northern Irishman is expected to take part in the Scottish Open the week prior to The Open.

Brandel Chamblee, who recently took to X, has claimed McIlroy bouncing back and landing his first major victory in ten years isn’t entirely out of the question.

“Defeat is not a crushing fate but a correcting one. Wouldn’t surprise me if Rory won The Open,” he said.