Rory McIlroy’s private caddie message, furious fan outburst, defiant statement

Rory McIlroy appears to be sticking with Harry Diamond as his caddie, despite calls for his replacement. Diamond, who has been friends with the pro since their childhood in Holywood, Northern Ireland, has been working professionally with him since 2017.

He took over from JP Fitzgerald – who was by side during his two-year reign at the top of the game between 2012 and 2014 – where he won a , two and an . However, as McIlroy has not been able to replicate this success with Diamond, some fans have suggested that the 35-year-old should consider a new approach.

However, McIlroy has consistently defended Diamond, which is unsurprising given that he was the best man at his wedding to Erica Stoll in 2018 and their relationship extends beyond just business. Here, Express Sport examines everything that has recently been said on the matter

An X-rated outburst

McIlroy rushed to Diamond’s defence when he faced criticism during the final round of last weekend’s Genesis Invitational. After McIlroy missed a 10-foot putt on the par-three third, one fan suggested that the golfer should have blamed his caddie for the mistake.

McIlroy reportedly snapped at the heckling fan, telling him to “shut the f*** up”, as per Dan Rapaport. The Northern Irishman’s fierce defence of his caddie on the course shows he won’t tolerate any disrespect towards his team.

Start as you mean to go on

After clinching victory at the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach earlier this month, McIlroy was brimming with motivation for Diamond. It marked his first PGA Tour event win of 2025 and his 27th tour victory overall, finishing an impressive 21 under par after a final round of 66.

Reflecting on his triumph and revealing his message to Diamond, McIlroy said: “Some people would argue the golf courses I have won on are not up to a Pebble Beach or an Augusta, but to win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really, really cool. I knew today was going to be tough, it was going to be exciting, there were so many guys around the lead and I guess with it being Pebble Beach I had to put that to the back of my mind and go out there and try to shoot a score, which I was able to.

“Really cool to have that walk up 18 and take it all in. I said to Harry walking up the last, ‘start as you mean to go on’. I’m just as determined this year in any of the years I’ve been out here on the and to get this win this early it means a great deal and hopefully just keep the momentum going into Torrey Pines in a couple of weeks’ time.”

US Open critiques

Diamond found himself under scrutiny from golfing experts after McIlroy by a single stroke to . previous coach, Hank Haney, did not mince his words, saying: “If Steve Williams was Rory’s caddie I can promise you he would have never hit a perfect flighted 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. Wrong club, wrong shot, bad plan.”

Golfer Eddie Pepperell also explained his perspective: “Sometimes, to win a golf tournament, you need to limp over the line, and I’m adamant that it is your caddie on occasions like that can really be the difference that can pull you over that finishing line. I just think, observing Rory today, that was the big thing that was lacking.

“My immediate takeaway is that with a stronger caddie, he would not have made the bogey he made on the 15th. He looked so comfortable and in control and he just needed to hit it to the front part of that green on 15. Easier said than done. And I really think he would have walked away with that trophy.”

In defence of his caddie, McIlroy offered his thoughts the following month, highlighting Diamond’s contribution: “Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything and that he doesn’t do anything. These guys that criticise when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.

“Where were they when I won Dubai earlier year, or Quail Hollow, or the two FedEx Cups that I’ve won with Harry, or the two Ryder Cups, or whatever? They are never there to say Harry did such a great job when I win, but they are always there to criticize when we don’t win. At the end of the day, they are not there. They are in the in the arena. They are not the ones hitting the shots and making the decisions.”

Iona Stephen ponders a fresh face

Meanwhile, broadcaster Iona Stephen recently questioned whether McIlroy should consider a change in his team. Writing for , she said: “Rory takes so much responsibility and I think his attitude is ‘if I can’t win a Major, I can’t win a Major, changing caddie won’t solve that’.

“Plus, with Harry being Rory’s best friend, he’s very happy, comfortable and confident with him on the bag. Trust and having one less thing to worry about is vital as a player, especially when you have as much to do as Rory. If you’re happy, you should be able to play at your best.

“But sometimes when you’re too comfortable and it is too friendly, you’re not being asked to raise the bar and step up to the mark in the way you would be if it was purely professional. Rory holds himself to extremely high standards and so maybe his self-discipline is well above average, but I would find it difficult to perform with someone who I was too close to.”

McIlroy suggests Diamond isn’t going anywhere

Despite the debate, McIlroy seems to suggest that Diamond’s position is secure, hinting that no changes are imminent in his backroom staff. After securing the DP World Tour Championship and Race To Dubai double last November, McIlroy lauded his caddie amidst widespread scrutiny from fans and experts globally.

McIlroy said: “He gets his fair share of stick and it’s not warranted. He’s an amazing caddie and the best friend I could ever ask for.” His resolute support suggests Diamond’s position is secure as McIlroy aims to end his wait for a fifth major in 2025.