Rory McIlroy urges golf critics to stop bashing caddie Harry Diamond: 'It's not warranted...'
Rory McIlroy hits out golf fans who constantly ask him to ditch his long-time caddie Harry Diamond.
Rory McIlroy urged golf critics to stop bashing his long-time caddie Harry Diamond during his victory speech at the DP World Tour Championshjp.
McIlroy, 35, cleaned up at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on Sunday by landing the DP World Tour Championship for a joint record third time and the Race to Dubai for a third straight time and sixth overall.
The Northern Irishman now joins late great Seve Ballesteros for six Harry Vardon trophies, something that drew him to tears on the 18th green in an interview with Sky Sports Golf's Tim Barter.
The World No.3 then returned back to the 18th green for the prize presentation.
After thanking all the tournament sponsors, McIlroy went on to pay tribute to members of his team.
He started with his caddie, Harry Diamond, and he told golf fans out there to stop criticising him.
Diamond has been on McIlroy bag for the best part of seven years now.
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For one reason or another there are a large number of golf fans out there on social media who consider McIlroy would perform better in the majors without his best mate Diamond on the bag.
Even former PGA Tour pro and now on-course commentator Smylie Kaufman isn't quite sure what Diamond offers McIlroy.
"I don’t ever really see Harry stepping in a ton," Kaufman said after McIlroy squandered the 2024 US Open in June.
"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."
Tiger Woods' former long-time golf coach Hank Haney has also questioned whether Diamond is the right man for the job this season.
McIlroy hit back with: "I just wish that these guys who criticize when things don't go my way... they never say anything good when things do go my way."
The four-time major champion has never won a major with Diamond on his bag.
McIlroy now enters an 11th season since his last major title at the 2014 US PGA.
He won all four of his career majors to date with former caddie JP Fitzgerald.
But McIlroy has rubbished such talk that he needs to replace Diamond.
Scroll down for his comments...
McIlroy admits he could not be happier with his best pal on the bag as he heads into an eighth season with him in 2025.
"I want to give a shout out to Harry... he's been with me every step of the way for the last seven years now," said McIlroy, standing next to his DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai trophies on the 18th green.
"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 then credited his wife Erica and daughter Poppy for their continued support.
"I have my family here with me this week, Erica, Poppy, I love you," said an emotional McIlroy.
"Thanks for sticking by me and thanks for your support.
"I can't wait to go back to Ireland now and celebrate this properly."
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