Former Tiger Woods ally makes claim about Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond

Tiger Woods' former caddie Steve Williams says Rory McIlroy's major drought will be weighing on Harry Diamond's mind just as much as the world number two.

Diamond has been carrying the sticks for McIlroy since 2017 following the Northern Irishman's split with JP Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald was on McIlroy's bag for all four of his major championship victories between 2011-2014. 

But the Diamond and McIlroy combination is yet to taste success at The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open or US PGA Championship. 

Williams told bunkered: "Rory's an incredible player and it's somewhat surprising to everybody that he's on this extended period without winning a major championship.

"Winning his next one is going to be as difficult as winning his first one, but if he could get his hands on one of those trophies, I believe that he could go on a very, very successful run."

Williams said McIlroy is under similar expectation to perform just like Tiger in his pomp. 

"Every time Rory tees up in a major, he's obviously one of the favourites to win the tournament," he said.  

"And the more this length of time between major victories goes on, the harder it is.

"But if he can just get over the road in one of them, I think he'll go on and win more. The next one won’t be his last one, that's for sure. But he's got to get that next one."

Diamond came in for fierce criticism following McIlroy's late collapse at the 2024 U.S. Open. 

Some suggested that Diamond and McIlroy got it wrong when they chose to hit a 7-iron on the par-3 15th. 

McIlroy overshot the green and it led to his first of three costly bogeys. 

Woods' former coach Hank Haney and former PGA Tour player Smylie Kaufman were among those to suggest an 8-iron was more appropriate and Diamond should've stepped in. 

For his part, McIlroy has always fiercely defended Diamond and declared that he would never accept criticism from people he wasn't willing to take advice from. 

Williams added: "He's in a difficult position because every time he gets into contention with Rory, he's probably thinking that he hasn't been on the bag for a major win.

"There's pressure to win tournaments and an elevated pressure when it comes to majors. 

"And it'll be exactly the same for him, when Rory gets over the line, he gets over the line. 

"He's caddying for one of the greatest players ever to have played the game and the only thing missing on his resume is a major. 

"He'll be just as desperate as Rory is.

"Rory, he's got four. Harry's got none. And so he'll be desperate for himself, and he’s probably got some expectations on himself. 

"But if you’re good enough to win regular tournaments – and they are – you’re good enough to win majors."

McIlroy will head to Augusta National next month for the 2025 Masters. 

He will be travelling to Georgia in good form, having claimed his second Players Championship title on 17 March.