There has been a wave of critics who believe Rory McIlroy simply had to make those putts down the stretch of his epic collapse at the US Open last week.
But LIV Golf star Jon Rahm came to McIlroy's defense and blamed the golf announcers who called the tournament, who he believes “seriously underestimated” the difficulty McIlroy faced in his losing putt on the 18th hole.
Rahm spoke to Sports Illustrated where he bluntly said that the announcers didn't help at all.
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Jon Rahm of Spain and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shake hands on the 18th green after their round on day one of the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 16, 2023 in Dubai, Emirates United Arabs. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
“One of the things that absolutely burned me, and I think it was (NBC's) Smylie (Kaufman) who said it, severely downplayed how difficult Rory's putt was on 18,” Rahm, who skipped the US Open due to an infection in his foot.
“When he said it's a left-to-center putt, if you hit that left-to-center putt and miss the hole, you're off the green because of the steep slope. Rory could be seen aiming at least a cup to the left. of three. They downplayed how difficult that putt was.
At the same time, Rahm knew that the comments on the field couldn't have been too detailed considering they weren't playing on the field.
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“I think that can happen sometimes where, unless you've been on the golf course and you're playing it or you've played it, it's hard to really explain how difficult the golf course can be, and a lot of times it just “They have those five seconds to say something quickly, so I don't blame them either.”
But, when a commentator says it's a left-center putt from three feet away, a golf fan will expect it to land 100 out of 100 times. McIlroy, however, saw his putt swing right and out.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after finishing the 18th hole during the final round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 16, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
It was his third bogey in four holes, and he missed an even shorter putt on the 16th hole.
McIlroy has since said he will take a brief break from golf after losing by one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst No. 2.
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my almost 17 years as a professional golfer. First of all, I would like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think “We can all agree on that,” McIlroy wrote in a statement on X.
“As I reflect on my week, I will regret a few things over the course of the tournament, mainly the two missed putts on the 16th and 18th on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I will look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negative ones.
Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII GC hits from the sixth tee during the final round of LIV Golf Miami at Trump National Doral, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Doral, Florida. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)
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“I'm going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and prepare for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”
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