English golf star Eddie Pepperell believes that Rory McIlroy should part way with his caddie following his defeat at the US Open.

The Northern Irishman appeared to have one hand on the trophy heading into the final few holes of the competition but missed several putts to throw Bryson DeChambeau a lifeline – who seized the opportunity to snatch the historic victory away from his rival.

Since the defeat, all eyes have been on McIlroy and how he self-destructed at Pinehurst- with some questions being raised about the role that his caddie, Harry Diamond, played in the defeat due to some of his confusing club choices at a pivotal stage of the competition.

Diamond and McIlroy are known to be close friends, though Pepperell believes that a split should be considered if the latter is to right the wrongs of his recent defeat.

The former British Masters winner told The Chipping Forecast podcast: "Sometimes, to win a golf tournament, you need to limp over the line, and I'm adamant that it is your caddie on occasions like that can really be the difference that can pull you over that finishing line. I just think, observing Rory today, that was the big thing that was lacking.

"My immediate takeaway is that with a stronger caddie, he would not have made the bogey he made on the 15th. It was a poor choice of club, and he hit in the one place he shouldn't have hit it, and then, and from that point onwards, I think that's the bogey that changed the momentum and his mindset more than anything.

Pepperell then suggested that a stronger-willed caddie would have prevented McIlroy from going long on the 15th and consequently hit a bogey which saw the momentum shift as he threw away his two-shot lead.

He continued: “I wouldn't have said this If he had won but I think he needs a new caddie. I hate saying that about Harry because I'm sure he's a lovely guy. And I'm sure he's a good caddie. But today, I felt Rory needed somebody that could pull him through the finish line.