Irked Rory McIlroy bites back at Hank Haney as golf coach told 'you've never been in that position'

Defiant Rory McIlroy has fired back at post-Pinehurst criticism.

And the golf superstar is adamant he’ll be ready to take his next Major opportunity at Royal Troon next week after his US Open nightmare. McIlroy returns to competitive action at the Genesis Scottish Open on Friday for the first time since his late collapse in North Carolina. The Northern Irishman’s two tiny missed putts in the last three holes cost him a fifth Major of his career.

McIlroy was criticised in the aftermath with his caddy Harry Diamond also firmly in the firing line from high-profile coach Hank Haney and ex-pro turned TV pundit Smylie Kaufman. But he retorted: “It’s certainly unfair. Hank Haney has never been in that position. Smylie has been in that position once, and I love Smylie. But 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.

“I just wish that these guys that criticise when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way. So where were they when I won Dubai earlier this year? Or Quail Hollow? Or the two FedExCups 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 criticise when we don’t.

“At the end of the day, they are not there. They are not the ones hitting the shots and making the decisions. “Someone said to me once, if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either. 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, meanwhile, also dismissed criticism of his failure to