Rory McIlroy torn to shreds by former agent: "He does what he wants to do"

Rory McIlroy's former agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler has launched an impassioned defence of his caddie Harry Diamond. 

McIlroy, 35, threw away a golden opportunity to break his 10-year major drought at last week's US Open. 

He was leading by two with five holes to go but two missed putts within four feet gifted Bryson DeChambeau the opportunity to snatch the major. 

And the American did, producing one of the most remarkable up and downs we have ever seen on the 72nd hole to snatch the victory. 

McIlroy stormed off without talking to media or congratulating the LIV Golf League player. 

And the inquest has well and truly begun. Once again, his caddie Diamond has come under the spotlight. 

One person who knows McIlroy well is his former agent Chubby Chandler. The duo split in acrimonious circumstances. 

And Chandler doesn't hold back with his opinions when it comes to the four-time major champion. 

He told Mirror Sport: "Rory does what Rory wants to do. In life, full stop. 

"So for everyone to say 'it was the caddie's fault', what is the caddie going to do, have a row with him on the 18th tee?"

Chandler was alluding to the fact McIlroy chose to hit a driver on the 18th tee box at Pinehurst No.2. 

His TP5x found the thick scrub and he was left in a world of trouble. 

McIlroy also chose to hit a 7-iron into the par-three 15th and missed the green long. He was fortunate to escape with just a bogey. 

"If he has hit three-wood on the other three days, he probably doesn't understand why he is going with driver," Chandler continued. 

"But if he butts in and [McIlroy] goes on and makes a bogey, it is his fault."

He added: "Rory is definitely the boss, and there is nothing wrong with it. They haven't done bad with it have they?"

Chandler is right to say the McIlroy-Diamond partnership has yielded success. 

Together they have lifted multiple titles on both sides of the pond. 

They've also enjoyed Ryder Cup success on five occasions. 

But McIlroy's critics will argue it's only the majors the golfer will be remembered for. 

"You can just be yourself"

It remains to be seen what the men's professional golf landscape will look like over the next few years. 

We are led to believe the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's backers are closing in on agreeing terms. 

But PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan poured cold water on that notion before the Travelers Championship. 

One thing is clear in Chandler's view, though, and that is DeChambeau is truly box office. 

"I would have thought on Monday [after the US Open] that the powers that be on the PGA Tour are thinking 'we better get [DeChambeau] back in our tournaments' because he is the biggest draw in golf by quite a way," he said. 

"I think because of the relaxed nature of LIV Golf, they can become themselves. 

"Rather than putting on this facade that they have all got that they are in a bubble. He is proving that you can just be yourself."

Watched our latest YouTube video?