'Harry Diamond Really Should Have Stepped In' - Former PGA Tour Pro Pinpoints Moment Rory McIlroy's Caddie Could Have Helped Win The US Open
Speaking to Golf.com's 'Subpar' podcast, Smylie Kaufman suggested McIlroy's caddie should have been more decisive down the stretch at Pinehurst No.2


Former PGA Tour pro turned popular NBC Sports analyst Smylie Kaufman is the latest person to offer his thoughts on where it all went wrong for Rory McIlroy at the 2024 US Open.
McIlroy stood tantalisingly close to ending his barren run of 10 years since his last Major at Pinehurst No.2 in June, knowing a tidy run through holes 15 to 18 would likely have secured a second US Open title.
However, excruciating short misses on the 16th and 18th put paid to those hopes and opened the door for Bryson DeChambeau to vanquish his own mini drought courtesy of a stunning bunker shot on the 72nd hole.
Yet, McIlroy's run of three bogeys at the sharpest end of the tournament began with a mistake on the par-3 15th - a score that could so easily have been avoided in Kaufman's opinion.
The Northern Irishman drew a seven iron out of his bag and narrowly missed his mark into the awkward green, going on to make bogey despite a decent attempt at saving par.
Speaking to GOLF’s Subpar podcast, the one-time PGA Tour winner suggested a simple change of tactic - initiated by Diamond - may have altered the course of history.
Kaufman said: “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.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“Never, never was a 7-iron [the right choice] 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. I would say that was a huge, huge mistake."
In the days since McIlroy announced he would be taking a brief hiatus from the sport before returning next week to defend his Scottish Open title at the Renaissance Club, it has been widely debated whether or not a change in caddie might be worth considering for McIlroy if he wants to win another Major.
Kaufman stopped short of calling for the World No.2 to make a change to his bag staff but highlighted an observation that many have commented on in terms of Diamond rarely intervening or over-ruling McIlroy.
Kevin Kisner (right) and Smylie Kaufman at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open
Kaufman said: “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.
“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.”
McIlroy is set to return for the Genesis Scottish Open - which features a $9 million purse - between July 11-14.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Four
There’s a three-way tie for the lead ahead of the final round of the Valspar Championship, with Viktor Hovland looking for his first win since 2023
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Jacob Bridgeman's Caddie?
The PGA Tour pro is one of the rising stars of the game, and assisting him in the early years of his pro career has been caddie GW Cable
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Adds New Event To Pre-Masters Schedule
McIlroy will make his debut in the Houston Open next week, the World No.2 has confirmed
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroy
University of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour Golf
Asked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
By Jonny Leighfield Published