Rory McIlroy wants the criticism of his long-time caddie Harry Diamond to stop.
Diamond has been by McIlroy’s side for the Northern Irishman’s highest and lowest moments on the fairways over the past seven years.
Their relationship goes far beyond golf as the two were close childhood friends along with Diamond serving as McIlroy’s best man at his wedding in 2018.
Despite their close friendship, it has not stopped golf pundits from questioning Diamond’s skills as a caddie.
Former PGA Tour pro Smylie Kaufman was one who is not convinced by what Diamond can offer.
“I don’t ever really see Harry stepping in a ton,” Kaufman said in the aftermath of McIlroy’s staggering implosion at the 2024 US Open.
“Rory always, if he has a question, he’ll ask, but for the most part, Rory kind of goes and does his thing and he’s got a lot of feel.”
Hank Haney, Tiger Woods‘ former coach, also criticised Diamond’s role at the US Open and felt Steve Williams, Woods’ caddie of 12 years, would have given advice that may have prevented McIlroy’s collapse.
“I will say this,” Haney said.
“If Steve Williams was Rory’s caddie, I can promise you he would have never hit a perfect-flight 7-iron that rolled over the green on 15 into a terrible lie because he would have hit an 8-iron and sent it straight up in the air and held the green.”
Another criticism used against Diamond is the fact all of McIlroy’s major wins came with his former caddie, JP Fitzgerald, and has not won one since 2014.
However, McIlroy believes the knocks against Diamond are not warranted and is already looking forward to another year on tour with his close pal on the bag.
“I want to give a shout to Harry,” McIlroy said after he won his sixth Race to Dubai.
“He’s been with me every step of the way for the last seven years now. He gets his fair share of stick and it’s not warranted.
“Harry is an amazing caddie and the best friend I could ever ask for, thanks mate.”
McIlroy’s praise of Diamond came after he took out the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates course in Dubai.
The Northern Irishman was visibly emotional at his accomplishment as he joined Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros in second place on the all-time list with six total Order of Merit titles.
McIlroy’s latest triumph also inches him closer to Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record, which stands at eight.
When asked about matching Ballesteros’ record, McIlroy could barely hide his delight.
“It’s really cool,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.
“I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players.
“In the European and Ryder Cup locker rooms all we have is quotes of Seve, a changing room with a shirt of his from ’75, the last Ryder Cup he played.
“He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath as him, I’m very proud.”
