Smylie Kauffman’s Harsh Opinion on Rory McIlroy’s Caddie

Smylie Kauffman, a former PGA Tour player turned NBC analyst, has recently voiced strong criticism against Rory McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, following McIlroy’s disappointing finish at the US Open. Kauffman’s remarks have ignited a debate within the golfing community, questioning the role and effectiveness of Diamond in McIlroy’s team.

Rory McIlroy, one of the top golfers in the world, recently experienced a heartbreaking end at the US Open held at Pinehurst No.2. McIlroy, who was in a prime position to secure his first major victory in nearly a decade, faltered in the final holes.

His critical misses, notably a short putt on the 72nd hole and another on the 70th, saw him lose by just one stroke to champion Bryson DeChambeau. The golfing world has since been dissecting what went wrong, with many pointing to the crucial mistakes made on the par-3 15th hole.

Smylie Kauffman believes that Rory McIlroy’s failure on this particular hole was a pivotal moment in the championship. According to him, it was not just McIlroy’s execution but also a misjudgment by his caddie, Harry Diamond, that led to this costly error.

As McIlroy prepares to return to the course at the Scottish Open, the focus remains on his recent slip and the potential need for changes in his support team.

Smylie Kauffman’s Sharp Criticism

In a recent appearance on GOLF’s Subpar podcast, Smylie Kauffman did not hold back in his assessment of Harry Diamond’s performance as Rory McIlroy’s caddie. Kauffman pinpointed McIlroy’s club choice on the par-3 15th hole as a critical mistake, arguing that Diamond should have intervened.

“I felt like Harry Diamond really should have stepped in on the 15th hole,” Smylie Kauffman said. “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 hits it in the middle of the green. He hit a good shot. But it just was the wrong club.”

Smylie Kauffman elaborated that a 7-iron, the club McIlroy used, was a poor choice given the conditions and the position of the pin.

“Never, never was a 7-iron for Rory. Especially with a right flag. If the wind was down off the right, it’s not exactly a flag and a wind condition and the heat to be able to land it in a hula hoop, where you got to hit this kind of soft, spinny, fade 7-iron. It was an 8-iron all day, hit it in the middle of the green.”

This decision led McIlroy to overshoot the green, leaving him with a difficult chip and ultimately costing him a vital shot. Smylie Kauffman described this as a “huge, huge mistake,” emphasizing that Diamond should have been more assertive in advising McIlroy

Harry Diamond and Rory McIlroy have a long-standing relationship that extends beyond the professional realm. The two met as children at Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland and have been close friends ever since. Diamond took over as McIlroy’s caddie in 2017, following the departure of J.P. Fitzgerald, who had been with McIlroy through his major-winning years.

Despite their close friendship, Diamond’s tenure as McIlroy’s caddie has been met with mixed reactions. While McIlroy has defended Diamond on numerous occasions, citing their personal bond and Diamond’s diligence, critics argue that a more experienced caddie might help McIlroy break his major championship drought.

Smylie Kauffman echoed this sentiment, questioning Diamond’s assertiveness and involvement during crucial moments.

“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,” Smylie Kauffman explained.

“In my head, as a player, when you execute a shot exactly how you’re supposed to and it ends up in a terrible spot, you have to look at, all right, what happened here. Because that’s what happened at the 15th hole.”

Kauffman’s criticism has stirred the ongoing conversation about McIlroy’s prolonged struggle to secure another major title. Since his last major victory at the 2014 PGA Championship, McIlroy has come close on several occasions but has not been able to clinch the win. This has led to questions about whether a change in his caddie might be necessary.

Golf analyst Hank Haney, Tiger Woods’ former coach, also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that a more authoritative caddie, like Steve Williams, could make a difference for McIlroy. Haney pointed out that such a caddie would likely have prevented McIlroy from making the club choice mistake on the 15th hole at the US Open.

However, McIlroy has consistently defended Diamond, highlighting their successful partnership and the numerous victories they’ve achieved together.

“I wouldn’t have him on the bag if I didn’t think he was good at what he did,” McIlroy told BBC Sport in a previous interview. “He’s grown into his role really well. I think our record speaks for itself. We’ve won a ton.”

As McIlroy gears up for the Scottish Open and the subsequent Open Championship at Royal Troon, the scrutiny on his partnership with Diamond will likely intensify. McIlroy’s ability to bounce back from his US Open disappointment and potentially secure another major victory will be closely watched.

In the meantime, Kauffman’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins that define success and failure in professional golf. Whether McIlroy and Diamond can silence their critics with a major win remains to be seen, but the golfing world will be paying close attention.

Smylie Kauffman’s harsh critique of Rory McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, has sparked a significant debate within the golfing community. With McIlroy’s recent near-miss at the US Open still fresh, the focus now shifts to how he and Diamond will respond to this challenge. As McIlroy prepares for the Scottish Open and beyond, the pressure will be on both golfer and caddie to demonstrate their resilience and capability in the face of adversity.