Rahm snapped back at Rory McIlroy criticism after LIV Golf ‘regret

Jon Rahm didn’t hold back when he criticized commentator Smylie Kaufman’s take on Rory McIlroy’s crucial putt during the final hole of last month’s US Open.

McIlroy, who was in hot pursuit of his fifth major title, a victory that has eluded him for a decade, missed a par putt on Pinehurst’s 18th, finishing just one stroke behind winner Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy had been leading by two shots with only five holes to go, but as he lined up what would become his second-to-last shot of the tournament, Kaufman advised viewers on the broadcast: “You just got to hammer it. And it needs to hit the back of the hole, go up and then go down. Not outside the hole. It’s a left-centre putt, but you can make it if you start it right in the middle, too.”

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Rahm, sidelined from the US Open due to a foot injury, felt those comments drastically underestimated the difficulty of McIlroy’s putt.

The Spanish golfer later expressed his frustration, saying: “I thought from the times I had it on [the television] and I could hear, I thought [the broadcast] was okay.

“One of the things that absolutely burned me, and I think it was Smylie who said it, he severely underplayed how difficult Rory’s putt on 18 was. When he said it’s a left-centre putt, if you hit that putt left-centre and miss the hole, you’re off the green because of how much slope there is.

“You could see Rory aiming at least a cup left from three feet. They severely underplayed how difficult that putt was. Severely.

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“I think that can happen a few times where, unless you’ve been there on the golf course and you’re playing it or you’ve played it, it’s hard to truly explain how difficult the golf course can be. A lot of times they only have those five seconds to say something quickly, so I also don’t blame them. But besides that, I thought it was good.”

After his disappointment in North Carolina, McIlroy took a break but is now ready to return to the Scottish Open next week, which will take place at The Renaissance Club.

Earlier this week, the club’s management installed a plaque to honor McIlroy, who clinched victory last year with an impressive shot from 202 yards on the final hole. Following the Scottish Open, the seasoned golfer will compete in The Open a week later.