Smylie Kaufman says Rory McIlroy made a mistake at the US Open that most players would have avoided

Add as preferred source on Google

Smylie Kaufman has suggested Rory McIlroy made a mistake at the US Open that most pros would have been able to avoid.

The Northern Irishman’s wait for his fifth major title goes on after Bryson DeChambeau produced the shot of his life to secure a one-shot victory at Pinehurst No.2.

McIlroy, however, was left to rue a short missed putt on the 18th hole, gifting DeChambeau the chance to land his second US Open title.

The 35-year-old’s decision-making on the last hole was particularly interesting after he opted to take driver off the tee having previously found the fairway with his three-wood in the three days prior.

Yet, Kaufman has suggested McIlroy made another mistake on the 18th that has perhaps gone unnoticed.

Smylie Kaufman: Rory McIlroy’s third shot on 18 was an error

• READ MORE: How every single LIV Golf player got on at the US Open after Bryson DeChambeau’s remarkable victory

Speaking on the Smylie Show immediately after the third major of the year, Kaufman claimed the missed putt wasn’t easy despite the short distance.

“I noticed he hit upon it [the putt]. From the side angle, it looked like a push to me,” he explained. I don’t think you can blame the putt on 18 because it wasn’t an easy putt.”

However, Kaufman did suggest the Irishman made a mistake by chipping above the hole, leaving a testing downhill putt.

He added: “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.”

Another major is only a matter of time for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy is set to take time away from the game ahead of The Open Championship at Royal Troon next month.

Looking to regroup away from the pressures of professional golf feels like the smart move.

Clearly, this latest major heartbreak has hurt the Northern Irishman and he has to work out a way of handling the most pressurised moments.

But there is reason to be positive, even if he doesn’t bounce back in the last major championship of the year.

In 2025, the PGA Championship returns to Quail Hollow, a venue where he’s enjoyed immense success previously.

Furthermore, the 2025 Open is set to take place at Royal Portrush in McIlroy’s homeland. Finally, the US Open returns to Oakmont, a course which could suit the world number two.

If he can get past this recent blow, there’s plenty of reason to be positive heading into the latter stages of the season and beyond.