Rory McIlroy has been informed of an error that may have led to his US Open collapse.
Rory McIlroy’s Shocking Blunder: The Moment That Led to His US Open Collapse
Rory McIlroy, one of golf’s most celebrated players, faced a heart-wrenching defeat at the US Open, and now, questions are swirling around a critical mistake that may have cost him the championship. As McIlroy prepares for the Scottish Open, he is undoubtedly still reeling from the collapse at Pinehurst No. 2, where he fell short by just one shot. Former PGA Tour pro Smylie Kaufman has pointed fingers at McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, for a pivotal error that may have sealed McIlroy’s fate.
Kaufman, reflecting on McIlroy’s performance, highlighted an overlooked moment on the par-3 15th hole. Instead of focusing solely on McIlroy’s missed putts on the 70th and 72nd holes, Kaufman noted that a dropped shot on the 15th played a crucial role in McIlroy’s downfall. McIlroy, who had been closing in on ending a decade-long wait for his fifth major, faced a disastrous outcome when he went long on the 15th, hitting a difficult chip shot to around 30 feet before missing the putt.
This mistake, according to Kaufman, was due to the wrong club selection—a decision he believes Diamond should have intervened on. “I felt like [caddie] Harry Diamond really should have stepped in on the 15th hole,” Kaufman told GOLF’s Subpar podcast. “He did not have the right club in his hands. And I felt like Rory could have taken control of the championship on 15 if he just hit it in the middle of the green.”
Kaufman elaborated on the critical error, explaining that McIlroy’s 7-iron was not the right choice given the conditions. “It was an 8-iron all day. Hit it in the middle of the green. I would say that was a huge, huge mistake. I don’t really ever see Harry stepping in a ton. Rory always, if he has a question, he’ll ask, but for the most part, Rory kind of goes and does his thing, and he’s got a lot of feel.”
The pressure on Diamond is mounting, with DP World Tour star Eddie Pepperell also voicing concerns about the caddie’s ability to guide McIlroy to victory. The criticism adds to the weight of McIlroy’s defeat, as he reflects on what went wrong in a tournament that slipped through his fingers.
McIlroy and Diamond’s partnership began in 2017, replacing McIlroy’s long-time caddie J.P. Fitzgerald, who was alongside him for all four of his major victories. The bond between McIlroy and Diamond, forged at Holywood Golf Club in their hometown, is now under intense scrutiny as McIlroy prepares to defend his Scottish Open title at the Renaissance Club and compete at the Open at Royal Troon.
As McIlroy gears up for these upcoming tournaments, the inquest into his US Open performance continues. The golfing world is left to wonder: Was this a mere blip in McIlroy’s illustrious career, or a sign of deeper issues within his team? Only time will tell if McIlroy can overcome this setback and reclaim his place among golf’s elite.
