Rory McIlroy and JP Fitzgerald split in 2017 (Image: Getty)
As wait for a fifth major title continues, so too does the line of people sticking the boot into . McIlroy and Diamond’s friendship transcends as the latter was his best man when he tied the knot with Erica Stoll in 2018.
But before in 2017, McIlroy was supported by . While there were many tense moments over the course of the nine years he spent working with the Dubliner, all of his majors were won with him at his side.
took the golf world by surprise, especially as it came almost immediately after McIlroy credited the Irishman for delivering an inspirational, but foul-mouthed, pep talk at the 2017 British Open. As the criticism continues to rain down on Diamond, Express Sport has a look at how the relationship with Fitzgerald broke down and where the experienced caddie is now.
Reason for sacking
McIlroy eventually offered his own public explanation years after the decision was made to part with Fitzgerald. He said (via ): “I want to clear that up. I knew before [Birkdale] it was going to be his last week, and because I knew it, it was almost the reason I gave the media that nugget (‘you’re Rory McIlroy!’) about what he did for me.
“So that’s where that came from – almost a guilty conscience – knowing what was coming. I don’t want to throw him under the bus but there were a few things that happened in ’17 that were just – I think both people in a relationship like that can get complacent, and I think there was a bit of complacency, so I decided after the Masters it was probably time.
“I was getting very hard on him. Really hard. Really angry. It was partly to do with him and mostly to do with me. I wasn’t playing the best and was frustrated at myself and taking it out on him: “I’m f***ing trying hard here!”
“And whether that was (related) to a club I’d hit, or wanted to hit or – but it was not good. And it’s something I would never do with [current caddie] Harry [Diamond]. Never.”
McIlroy and Fitzgerald’s last tournament together was the 2017 British Open (Image: Getty)
Years of silence
In 2019, Fitzgerald admitted he needed to take a break away golf and McIlroy. The Irishman evidently took his sacking badly, immediately walking away from the sport to cescape the stresses of the sport.
He said: “At the end of the day, I went away to collect my thoughts and recharge my batteries. It was obvious that I needed the break.
“But I’ve learned from every player with whom I’ve worked, and Rory is no different to others like Ernie Els in that regard. I’m appreciative of the fact they’ve all helped me to get better as a caddie.”
At the time, two years had passed since they had last spoken to each other. It’s possible that the pair are still on quiet terms.
McIlroy and Fizgerald’s split was very public (Image: Getty)
Fitzgerald’s next step
When Fitzgerald returned to golf, he started working with United States young prodigy Matt Wolff, in a partnership that excited many golf fans. However, in June 2019, the duo split after only two tournaments with each other.
Explaining their separation, Fitzgerald said: “I suggested to him that he might want to try a different driver and three wood, and he disagreed. We just didn’t gel. It happens and I have no problem with Matt. He’s clearly going to become a great player.”
He would go on to join forces with French star Victor Perez, who went on to win the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before finishing T2 at the 2020 BMW PGA Championship. Yet, their working relationship quietly came to an end soon after and Perez teamed with James Erkenbeck.
In June 2022, Belgian ace Thomas Detry appointed Fitzgerald as his caddie and the duo are still working together on the fairway. Things are going well as Detry won his first PGA Tour event at the start of the month, overcoming the likes of Daniel Berger and Michael Kim by seven strokes to win the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.