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Rory McIlroy missed out on his fifth Major championship at the 2024 U.S. Open as he settled for second place at the event for the second consecutive year. The Irishman lost by one stroke to LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau.
Smylie Kaufman, a former star on the PGA Tour who has turned to being an analyst for CBS, pointed out in an interview with Golf.com's Subpar podcast, an error in Rory McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond's, course management tactics.
Here's what Smylie Kaufman had to say about Rory McIlroy's longtime caddie and childhood friend:
" I felt like Harry Diamond really should have stepped in on the 15th hole. [McIlroy] 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 hits it in the middle of the green. He hit a good shot. But it just was the wrong club. Never, never was a 7-iron [the right choice] for Rory. Especially with a right flag. ... I would say that was a huge, huge mistake."
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On the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club Number 2 course, Rory McIlroy had 205 yards to the pin on the par three 15th hole. Instead of going with a shorter club, he took out his seven iron that flew 232 yards off the tee on that hole. In the podcast, Kaufman detailed that the error in club selection might have cost McIlroy the 2024 U.S. Open victory.
Kaufman said that the pin placement on the right of the green, along with bad winds, warranted an eight-iron shot. Kaufman also explained that the conditions did not call for a pin-seeking shot and that the caddie should have discussed different shot options with the PGA Tour star. If McIlroy had played an eight-iron shot that landed in the middle of the green, he would've been guaranteed the Major Championship. Here's what Kaufman had to say about Harry Diamond's involvement on the golf course:
" 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. "
Rory McIlroy went on to make a bogey on the hole and fall one stroke short of winning. Following the heartbreaking loss, he has announced that he will be taking a break from competing. McIlroy's next start is scheduled to be at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open from July 11 to 14, where he will seek to defend his title.
Rory McIlroy's 2024 PGA Tour season over
Rory McIlroy has played in 14 tournaments on the PGA Tour so far this season. Having made the cut in all events, the Irishman has recorded 12 top 25 finishes, 5 top ten finishes, one runner up finish, and two victories.
He currently ranks 3rd on the FedEx Cup Rankings list with 2,445 points and has made a whopping $10,034,665 in earnings so far this season. Here's a look into Rory McIlroy's finishes on the PGA Tour this year.
