Rory McIlroy ally doesn't hold back on US Open criticism - 'Makes my blood boil'
A long-term ally of Rory McIlroy has hit out at the Northern Irish superstar's critics as he defended his peer following his dramatic collapse in the closing stages of the US Open
Shane Lowry has confessed that the criticism that Rory McIlroy received in the wake of his US Open collapse made his "blood boil" as he defended the superstar and caddie Harry Diamond.
The C o Down man's wait for a fifth major championship success has stretched to a decade, with his last triumph coming at the PGA Championship back in 2014. The 35-year-old was left heartbroken after coming agonizingly close to ending his hoodoo at the US Open at Pinehurst Resort back in June - as he finished as runner-up despite leading with five holes to play.
Ultimately, two short puts from his last three holes gave rival Bryson DeChambeau the opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as he finished the job to clinch the win. Now, one-time Claret Jug holder Lowry has hit out at McIlroy's detractors as he defended the fan favourite following the dramatic scenes in North Carolina.
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Speaking to the Irish Independent, the 37-year-old passionately presented his case, saying: "It's the one thing that really drives me insane. I watched Rory and watched him miss those two putts and not win, and then you have people criticising him and Harry, which is, I mean, it really makes my blood boil.
"Harry Diamond is the best person in the world to caddie for Rory McIlroy, and I see it week in and week out. He works harder than any of the caddies out here," he said, as he went out to bat for the star's caddie too. "He’s always here before him, walking the courses; he's there for him, and even though he's not in the middle of the tee box like all these caddies who want to be on TV talking loud and telling Rory what to do, he still makes his voice heard.
Providing some insight into what must have been going through McIlroy's mind in the closing stages at Pinehurst No. 2, he contunued: "Until you live that moment and that situation, you never know how it is. When Rory hit that chip shot on 18, I knew putt would be very difficult.
"I had that putt from 20 feet up the hill, so I knew it would be very difficult, he just couldn't play enough break on it. It was one of those things and I'm sure he's thought of it for the last while. Like I say, honestly, I've lived the situation. I don't think anybody is fit to comment on it."
Amid the fallout from the events of the US Open, the world No. 2 appeared to be keeping a level head about what had transpired as he looked forward to potential redemption at the Open. Speaking ahead of his appearance at Royal Troon, he told the Guardian : "Yes, I was in a great winning position and should have won.
"But it’s not the first time I have let something slip away," he acknowledged. "It’s probably not going to be the last. You have to look at it on the continuum. It was tough but it is one tournament."
Looking back positively, he added: "I just took the initiative. I was less tentative and played with more freedom. I was more assertive, not as passive. At this point I would rather lose through trying to win it than lose it through trying not to lose. I haven’t been as assertive over the past couple of years in the biggest tournaments."
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