Rory McIlroy Continues to Praise Caddie

Since 2017, Rory McIlroy has stuck to one caddie consistently for his career.  His old childhood friend, Harry Diamond.  The two have been inseparable for well over twenty years now, and recently, in a press conference, McIlroy was asked if Diamond is a source of motivation. His answer is full of praise for his old friend.

Rory McIlroy And Harry Diamond

The two have been friends for a long time.  When they were still kids in Northern Ireland, they used to compete with and against each other.  Diamond was even McIlroy’s best man during his wedding.  Throughout his pro career, McIlroy has been furiously defensive of Diamond, at one point even snapping at a heckler during the Genesis Invitational.  Harry Diamond has been at the center of criticism for McIlroy.  The reasoning being that he hadn’t won a major since 2014.  McIlroy had heard calls for him to change caddies in the past and would always stick with his friend.  That point of criticism, of course, stopped after McIlroy completed his career grand slam with the Masters Tournament in April.  All the while, McIlroy would thank Diamond in his victory speeches.

Praising Diamond

McIlroy, over the past eight years of having Diamond be his primary caddie, has had nothing but praise for his friend.  A point that he always presented in the face of the major’s criticism is to point to the other victories he has had since 2017.  Just before the BMW PGA Championship, he was asked if Diamond motivates him to win.  McIlroy’s answer was absolutely.  Saying that there is something about having his friend at his bag that means so much to him.  McIlroy went on reminiscing about how Diamond was there during his victories at the FedEx and Ryders Cups, several PGA Tour events, and most recently the Irish Open.  

The Future For McIlroy And Diamond