“I think I know what I’m doing, and so does Harry,” said McIlroy after his 2024 U.S. Open after claims of mishaps on his caddie’s end by critics. Harry Diamond, a name well-known in the world of golf, has been Rory McIlroy‘s trusted sidekick for years, and their partnership extends far beyond the course. As a talented junior golfer, Diamond won the 2012 West of Ireland Championship, earning a spot in the Irish Open, although he missed the cut. With an impressive +2.5 handicap at his peak, Diamond showed promise but ultimately didn’t pursue professional golf. He found his calling as a looper, for McIlroy’s caddie.

Diamond has been providing a calming presence and strategic advice that’s contributed to several PGA Tour victories since 2017. Recently, McIlroy and Diamond secured a significant win at the 2025 Players Championship, which is sure to boost McIlroy’s confidence heading into the 2025 Masters.

However, despite his hard work and loyalty, Harry Diamond has faced his fair share of criticism and hate, with some questioning his ability to support Rory McIlroy to his full potential, particularly in major tournaments. Last year critics like Tiger Woods’s ex-coach Hank Haney and former PGA Tour golfer Smylie Kaufman pointed to Diamond’s perceived deference to McIlroy and lack of vocal input as reasons for McIlroy’s struggles, with Kaufman specifically highlighting a crucial mistake at the 15th hole during the U.S. Open that led to Bryson DeChambeau winning the tournament, saying “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.”

Well, it seems like the case is the same after McIlroy won the 2025 PLAYERS Championship as well. “The Harry Diamond haters are always awfully quiet after a victory,” tweeted golf analyst Dan Rapport and it seemed to have not sit well.

 

McIlroy has fiercely defended his caddie, calling the criticism “unfair” and arguing that Diamond’s quiet approach doesn’t mean he’s not providing valuable support, also noting that Diamond never receives credit when McIlroy wins, but is always criticized when he doesn’t, saying “They are always there to criticize when we don’t win.” And it is true, no fan batted an eye on Diamond when the golfer won the AT&T Pebble Beach this year or when he won the DP World Tour Championship last year.

Well, it seems like the case is the same after McIlroy won the 2025 PLAYERS Championship as well. The tweet from golf analyst Dan Rapport seems to have backfired from the mixed opinions of fans on Diamond’s place in McIlroy’s career.

Netizens debate Harry Diamond’s role despite McIlroy’s latest win

We all know how hard it is to impress golf fans but for McIlroy’s caddie the job seems to be impossible. “I’ll bite. Rory hitting 9 into 18 was egregious and continues to show Diamond holds him back,” one fan wrote while the other shared the same sentiment, “Harry allowing Rory to pull driver on 18 when the only thing that could extend the tournament was a double makes this point even more tone-deaf,” and well, they aren’t wrong.

Despite McIlroy’s thrilling playoff win, his drive on the 18th hole, which veered way right, raised eyebrows, and his decision to hit a 9-iron on his third shot was questionable. However, McIlroy managed to recover, landing his third shot within a few yards of the hole and ultimately two-putting to clinch the win at 1-over, securing his 28th career victory and second of 2025.

One fan commented, “lol, he ain’t winning because of Harry. Still needs a new caddie!” while the other said, “But but but How many majors has he won with Rory?” Well, it is true: McIlroy has not won a major with Harry Diamond on his bag, despite their seven-year partnership and close friendship. Diamond replaced JP Fitzgerald in 2017, but since McIlroy’s meltdown at the 2022 Open Championship, many have been calling for a change, citing Diamond’s perceived lack of influence and strategic input.

The criticism reached a fever pitch after the recent Pinehurst heartbreak, with not just fans and pundits, but also current players and veterans, questioning whether Diamond is the right man for the job, and suggesting that it may be time for

McIlroy to consider a new caddie. But some fans indeed believe that, “Harry Diamond deserves more respect👏🏼” and that, “Harry is the Best!” but what do you think? Do you agree with the fans and believe McIlroy needs a new caddie to win the 2025 Masters? Let us know in the comment section below!