Rory McIlroy on Wednesday, July 10, responded to criticism of his caddie, Harry Diamond, following the outcome of the 2024 US Open. McIlroy defended his caddie’s work and called those criticizing him “unfair”.
McIlroy spoke about the issue during a press conference on Thursday ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open. Fans have reacted to his words in a variety of ways, with most backing him in defense of his caddie.
Others, however, feel that Rory McIlroy’s caddie bears some responsibility for the runner-up finish at Pinehurst. One X user posted the following:
“Rory is a queen yapper.”
Another fan posted the following:
“Going to bat for his guy. I can respect that.”
Let’s take a look at some other reactions on X:
“Hanks criticism was mild… Smylie basically blamed the loss on Harry,” one fan posted.
“That’s cool, but he screwed up firing JP Fitz for sure,” another X user wrote.
“Rory is right” another fan said.
At the Genesis Scottish Open press conference, Rory McIlroy reflected on the triumphs he achieved with Harry Diamond as his caddie. As a result, he noted that those who criticize him never speak up when things go “his way”.
“I just wish that, you know, these guys that criticise when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way,” Rory McIlroy said (via NUCLR GOLF).
Rory McIlroy has responded to criticism from Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney and former pro and current golf commentator Smylie Kaufman.
Haney used his X account to say that McIlroy would have won the 2024 US Open had he worked with famed caddie Steve Williams, who also worked with Woods for 12 years.
Kaufman, meanwhile, claimed on Golf magazine’s ‘Subpar’ podcast that Rory McIlroy hit the wrong club on the 15th hole of the fourth round at Pinehurst and that Harry Diamond should have “stepped in”.
A look at Rory McIlroy’s results with Harry Diamond as his caddie
Diamond and McIlroy have been friends since they were teenagers, but began working together in 2017 after McIlroy ended his stint with JP Fitzgerald looking after his bag.
With Diamond as his caddie, McIlroy has had a lot of success, except when it comes to winning a Major. He has won 13 PGA Tour events, including two FedEx Cup victories (2019, 2022). He also has two victories on the DP World Tour and has won the Race to Dubai twice (2022, 2023).
McIlroy and Diamond also have 17 top-10 finishes in Major championships, including four runner-up finishes (The Open Championship 2018, The Masters Tournament 2022, and The US Open 2023 and 2024).
Finally, they have competed in three editions of the Ryder Cup, winning twice (2018, 2023).
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Edited by Luke Koshi
