Former Rory McIlroy ally makes claim about his caddie on eve of 2025 Masters

Rory McIlroy's former manager Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler has claimed the Northern Irishman has started listening to his caddie Harry Diamond more.

Diamond's role has been questioned several times over the last 10 years considering McIlroy hasn't won a major championship since 2014.

The 35-year-old will head to Augusta National next week for his 17th Masters appearance and his 11th attempt at completing the career grand slam.

Chandler - who was McIlroy's manager from 2007-2011 - believes the golfer doesn't listen to anyone. 

That being said, he believes McIlroy has started including Diamond more in the decision-making since he faltered down the stretch at the 2024 U.S. Open. 

"If you caddied with Rory McIlroy, he wouldn't listen to you either," Chandler said. "He doesn't listen to anybody.

"I do detect this year that he's involved Harry in the decision making quite a bit more than he has in previous years. 

"Maybe that is a change because when you're in the position he gets in, you need somebody on your side. 

"It didn't look like it on the last hole at the U.S. Open or the last three that he was listening to Harry at all."

There have been some suggestions that McIlroy should consider linking up with Billy Foster following his shock split with 2022 U.S. Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Others have argued strong-headed figures like Tiger Woods' former caddies Joe LaCava and Steve Williams could have made the difference. 

Chandler doesn't believe that would be wise. 

"Even someone like Billy Foster coming in, it wouldn't make a bit of difference," Chandler said. "Rory is his own man."

McIlroy has already completed three reconnaissance trips to Augusta National ahead of the first men's major of the year. 

Chandler believes his best chance off success is to simply try and control his emotions. 

Far too often, McIlroy's honesty is his downfall. 

The golfer has claimed that he felt discomfort in his right elbow in his last PGA Tour start. 

To some, that was a dubious remark and it has been speculated that McIlroy is already getting in the excuses early should he not slip on the green jacket. 

"Rory doesn't try and control his emotions because he feeds it," Chandler said. "He opens his mouth too often, doesn't he?

"He feeds the media the storyline and he loves talking about it, and if you love talking about it, it's tough then because it's coming at you all the time.

"He should say less. Somebody like Rory, the less he says the better he is. He likes talking to the press."

"You can't act like it's another tournament"

Golf Channel's lead analyst Brandel Chamblee has already weighed in on McIlroy's Masters hopes.

So too has Sir Nick Faldo. 

Chamblee believes McIlroy always brings his worst stuff to Augusta and believes the course is his nemesis.

"It is literally his nemesis," he said.  

"It brings out the worst golf in Rory annually that we see. It was his worst golf last year in the majors, his worst the year before, two years before that it was his worst golf. 

"He annually underperforms there.

"He hits on average about 42 greens. On average, the winner hits about 52. There are things about that golf course that have been very problematic for him."

What is Rory McIlroy's Masters record?

Of course, the closest McIlroy came to winning The Masters was in 2011 when he slept on four-shot lead after 54 holes.

Back then, the golf world was pondering how many Masters McIlroy would win. 

Since then, he has posted seven top-10 appearances.

The 2025 Masters begins 10 April. 

Chandler was speaking to Sportsbook Review.