Disheartened! Frustrated! Disappointed! That’s what Rory McIlroy must be feeling after he lost at Pinehurst, too, by one stroke for the second time in a row. Even in 2023, McIlroy lost to Wyndham Clark, as the latter overall carded 10 under to win, and McIlroy ended his 72 holes at 9 under. This time, the golf community is calling out the Irish golfer for only one thing: his caddie.

Many agree that McIlroy could not have a better start to the last round than he did yesterday. At one point, he even had a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau. The golf community is angry with Harry Diamond. They believe that the three-foot putts that the golfer missed, which resulted in unfortunate bogeys, could have been avoided if Diamond had been a little more helpful.

Eddie Pepperell recently spoke to The Chipping Forecast podcast, and talking about how Diamond failed McIlroy, he said, “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.”

It was after the 15th hole that the momentum of the game really changed. Another bogey at the 16th, and then the final one at the 18th, withstood McIlroy’s decade-old major drought. Describing the unfortunate bogey on the 15th as emblematic, the English golfer further said, “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.”

McIlroy and Diamond have grown up together since childhood in Hollywood and have been best friends. Harry Diamond has also played golf and won the West of Ireland Championship in 2012. This is not the first time he has chosen a friend to take responsibility for his bag. Back in 2022, when Diamond was busy welcoming his second child, Niall O’Connor caddied for McIlroy, and together they won the RBC Canadian Open.

However, McIlroy has always revealed his own opinion about keeping Harry Diamond as his caddie, who was also his best man when he married Erica Stoll in 2017. McIlroy has previously stated, “I was an only child and Harry was a big brother. We’re very close. I love having him on the bag. I’m a different person. And I’m never going to give him sh** even if something goes wrong. It would not be worth it.”

Despite their personal relations, the golf community thinks that the Northern Irishman needs to change his caddie, and are not shying away from expressing their opinions.

Harry Diamond faces backlash from the golf community

One McIlroy fan stated, “How Harry Diamond has a job on Rory’s bag with how dry Rory’s major run has been a lot with decision-making is beyond me.” McIlroy has not won a major since 2014. He first teamed up with Diamond in 2017 and had his other friend O’Connor caddie for him when Diamond was not available. Fans claim Diamond’s lack of skills to be one of the reasons for McIlroy’s drought.

Some other fan wrote, “Agree with this @byAlexPerry the positive is that Rory was there again, he can still win these but, it feels at times as if he calls all the shots, does he pass enough responsibility to Harry when his mind is buzzing. Does he need a stronger hand? would he accept one?” Before the 124th US Open, McIlroy made 496 out of 496 putts within three feet but it all became one big havoc on the 15th hole. With the last five holes remaining, McIlroy had a two-shot lead over the LIV golfer, and interestingly, DeChambeau shot 1 over par in the last 5 holes, and still one. This one’s got to hurt, and as per fans, Harry should be held accountable.

Yet another fan said, “Needs to sack his caddie. Never see him motivate Rory. Should’ve talked him out of a few shots in the last 4 holes. Way too much club on 15. Took 5 years to rake a bunker on 17 leaving his player to overthink the final tee shot alone. Will never win a major with him on the bag“ The fan pinpointed that Diamond should have suggested better equipment on the 15th hole as the putt was too near to be missed. They also said that Harry’s help would have helped in taking better shots in the final four holes. When McIlroy hit the 17th shot in the bunker, Diamond stayed back to rake the sand, and the golfer had to tee off alone at the 18th. They insinuated Diamond should have been quick with his actions, and should have been there at the 18th with McIlroy.

Another fan tried to support Diamond for his good qualities but ended up speaking what seemed practical to them. They said, “Harry Diamond may be a good caddie i.e. he can carry Rory’s bag and measure shots, but that is not the point. Rory needs to have an experienced caddie, and keep the relationship professional so that nothing else gets in the way, before it’s over and his career has gone.” McIlroy’s comment about not criticizing his caddie Harry Diamond speaks for his intentions of keeping close relations with his brother-like friend. However, what the fandom is arguing he needs better guidance and judgment on the greens than a brother figure who gives him support.

One other fan commented on a post shared by Tracking Rory on X captioned, “When will the pain stop?”. The fan wrote, “When he gets rid of Harry. Any decent caddy would know you can’t miss long on 15 and would have made him hit 3 wood on 18.” The fan revisited the exact mistake they think Diamond has committed this season’s US Open which has cost McIlroy his highly coveted and much-deserved trophy.

Do you think Rory McIlroy would be performing better if he indeed had a different caddie? Let us know in the comments below.