Tiger Woods' ex-coach takes back Rory McIlroy claim
Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney has suggested Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond is good for the golfer, despite previously criticising him.
Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney has reversed his stance on Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond.
Haney blasted Diamond after McIlroy collapsed in epic fashion down the stretch at the 2024 U.S. Open.
In June, the 35-year-old Northern Irishman was primed to capture his first major championship victory since the 2014 PGA Championship at Pinehurst No.2.
But crucial mistakes over the closing holes saw the Ulsterman pipped by Bryson DeChambeau.
The American produced one of the greatest up-and-downs we have ever seen on the 72nd hole to claim his second major win.
A crestfallen McIlroy made a swift exit from the property, opting not to congratulate DeChambeau in person.
And the subsequent inquest was brutal.
Haney was among those to criticise McIlroy's bagman.
One of McIlroy's errors arrived on the par-3 15th hole when he decided to use a 7-iron and sent his approach long which led to a bogey.
McIlroy also dropped shots at the 16th and 18th holes.
Haney suggested that had McIlroy had a stronger figure on his bag, such as Woods' former looper Steve Williams, then the poor clubbing at the 15th would've never happened.
Golf fans were quick to remind Haney that Williams was on the bag when Adam Scott collapsed at the 2012 Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Now Haney has stressed that he 'never said' Diamond wasn't good for McIlroy.
Asked by one X user if McIlroy will have a new caddie in 2025, Haney wrote: "No, I think his caddie is great for him.
"I never said he wasn't great for Rory, I said they made a mistake on #15 at the US Open.
"I actually am actually a big fan of friend caddie's, anyone can make a mistake."
For his part, McIlroy seemed nonplussed with the flack Diamond has received.
McIlroy called out Haney before the Scottish Open after he took a four-week break from the game.
"Hank Haney has never been in that position," he said.
"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.
"I just wish that, you know, these guys that criticize when things don't go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.
"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."
He added: "At the end of the day, they are not there.
"They are not in the arena. They are not the ones hitting the shots and making the decisions.
"Someone said to me once, you would never—if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either.
"Certainly wouldn't go to Hank Haney for advice."
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