Some time has passed, but Rory McIlroy’s pre-tournament presser ahead of his return to action this week at the Scottish Open was dominated with talk of his U.S. Open collapse at Pinehurst.

After his final round at Pinehurst, Rory sped off in his courtesy Lexus, choosing not to speak with the media. A decision that drew criticism from some media members and golf fans alike.

At this week’s event, McIlroy was asked if he regretted that decision.

“Absolutely not. No. There’s nothing that I could have said that was – not that – I mean, it would have been good because you guys would have been able to write something about it or have a few quotes from me. No offence; you guys were the least of my worries at that point.”

Despite the disappointment, the four-time major champion is already focused on winning the next one.

“Yeah, I stewed on what happened at Pinehurst for a couple of days, but then, yeah, thankfully I can go home and look at what I’ve achieved in the game and sort of feel okay about myself.

“Yeah, look, it was a great opportunity. It passed me by but hopefully, when I get that next opportunity, it won’t pass me by.”

McIlroy will tee it up at the Renaissance Club this week as the defending champion at the Scottish Open.

More from the 19th Hole

On Monday, the golf world was shocked by the decision made by the Ryder Cup committee to appoint Keegan Bradley as the 2025 Ryder Cup captain for the United States team.

Bradley is just 38 years old, which makes him the youngest Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

With Bradley being chosen, plenty of other candidates who would have been considered more traditional picks, were passed over. Among them was Stewart Cink, who many considered to be one of the favorites to land the captaincy after Tiger Woods declined.

While speaking at The Renaissance Club on Tuesday, Cink expressed his disappointment.

“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t chosen to be the captain, of course. I was really hoping to be in that role. I love the United States and I love the players. I have so much respect for the players and the Ryder Cup, and Keegan has great energy and he’s playing great. He’ll do a really good job. I know he wants a team win and his roots being there in New England, he’ll be a great captain.”

Cink acknowledged that the choice of Bradley was against the grain and may resonate with the younger players on the team.

On Tuesday, Rory McIlroy faced the media for the first time since his heartbreaking U.S. Open loss last month.

Rory made some crucial mistakes over the past few holes at Pinehurst No. 2, including choosing to hit a seven iron on the 15th which most agree was too much club. Both Hank Haney, who is Tiger Woods’ former coach, and Smylie Kaufman, who’s a former pro turned Golf Channel analyst, have criticized Rory’s caddie, Harry Diamond for not stepping in.

On June 18, Haney posted the criticism to his X account.

“I will say this, if Steve Williams was Rory’s caddie I can promise you he would have never hit a perfect flighted 7 iron that rolled over the green on 15 into a terrible lie because he would have hit an 8 iron and sent it straight up in the air and held the green.”

“Wrong club, wrong shot, bad plan.”

While appearing on Golf’s Subpar podcast, Smylie Kaufman also said he believes Diamond should have done more to help Rory.

“I felt like (caddie) Harry Diamond really should have stepped in on the 15th hole.”

“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. And he hit a good shot. But it just was the wrong club.

“And 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.”

On Tuesday, McIlroy came to the defense of his caddie in his Scottish Open pre-tournament press conference.

“Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything and that he doesn’t do anything,” said the Northern Irishman.

“These guys that criticize when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.

“Where were they when I won Dubai earlier year, or Quail Hollow, or the two FedEx Cups that I’ve won with Harry, or the two Ryder Cups, or whatever? They are never there to say Harry did such a great job when I win, but they are always there to criticize when we don’t win.

“At the end of the day, they are not there. They aren’t in the arena. They are not the ones hitting the shots and making the decisions.”

McIlroy added

“Someone said to me once, if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either. I certainly wouldn’t go to Hank Haney for advice. I love Smylie, but I think I know what I’m doing, and so does Harry.”

McIlroy will tee it up at the Renaissance Club this week as the defending champion at the Scottish Open.