Colin Montgomerie believes Rory McIlroy’s caddie should have done more to prevent the Northern Irishman’s US Open heartbreak.
McIlroy was in position to win his first major title for 10 years at Pinehurst No. 2 last month,
but he paid the harshest price for two missed short putts on 16 and 18, opening the door for Bryson DeChambeau who claimed victory by one shot.
McIlroy’s long-time caddie Harry Diamond has been criticised in the aftermath for his man’s decision to deploy a driver on the 18th, having used a 3-wood in the previous three rounds.
McIlroy pulled his tee shot left off the fairway into a native area and was unable to reach the green with his approach.
McIlroy still gave himself a decent chance for a par which likely would have been enough for a playoff after a well-executed chip.
But from four feet, he saw a downhill slider drift agonisingly past the cup for his third bogey in the final four holes of the tournament.
McIlroy staunchly defended his caddie when he held his press conference ahead of the Scottish Open earlier this week, but Montgomerie believes Diamond could have done more.
“He hadn’t [used driver on 18] all week and the caddie should have stopped him,” Montgomerie told The Times. “Bryson was missing every fairway, the worst in the field on Sunday. At the end, he was just thrashing it and it was a long-drive competition. What a bunker shot, of course, but he got the luck and Rory didn’t.
“[Nick] Faldo said something on the commentary and I agree – if [McIlroy] does not win another major this could haunt him for the rest of his life, not just his career. I went to bed that night feeling very sad. I didn’t want to see the celebrations – I felt more for Rory than I felt for Bryson. If he gets into contention at Troon from where he was, it will be a herculean effort.”
Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney and golf channel pundit Smylie Kaufman were among those who questioned Diamond’s part in the closing stretch that saw victory slip from McIlroy’s grasp. But McIlroy responded ruthlessly when asked about their comments at The Renaissance Club this week.
“It’s certainly unfair,” McIlroy said. “Hank Haney has never been in that position. Smylie has been in that position once. Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything and that he doesn’t do anything.
“Someone said to me once if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either. Certainly wouldn’t go to Hank Haney for advice. I love Smylie, but I think I know what I’m doing, and so does Harry.”
McIlroy was also criticised for his swift exit after DeChambeau’s victory was confirmed, quickly leaving Pinehurst instead of staying to congratulate the winner. But Montgomerie, who captained McIlroy at the 2010 Ryder Cup, believes he handled a very difficult situation appropriately.
“I understand him not talking to the press,” Montgomerie says of McIlroy. “There is nothing to say apart from negativity. What could he say other than ‘I threw it away?’ Ten years of hurt and ten years of hell in trying to win another came out at the end.
“I thought he was actually very dignified. He didn’t slam doors and rev away. I left Winged Foot [for the 2006 US Open] and felt I’d let myself down. People wanted me to win a major and I’d let them down, too. I think Rory feels that way, too.”
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Source: CNN
