Tour veteran to Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond: "Don't read the s----"

Billy Foster has launched an impassioned defence of Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond. 

The reigning Players champion will head to Augusta National for the 2025 Masters in a few weeks' time.

He will do so with more pressure on his shoulders to complete the career grand slam than ever before. 

McIlroy has already picked up two titles on the PGA Tour and at least two clear rivals for the green jacket - Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele - have conceded they are not firing on all cylinders just yet.

Foster - who recently lifted the lid on his split with Matthew Fitzpatrick - would be 'staggered' if McIlroy doesn't win a major in 2025.

And he also has a message for critics of McIlroy's long-time looper and best pal Diamond.

 "The criticism is not fair at all," Foster said. "It makes me laugh really at the people getting on his back. 

"He has just won two signature events and The Players' Championship in four starts and they're still on his back.

"Give the lad a break. He's a very good caddie. Harry, don't read the s----. That's simple as. Because it is s----. 

"Somebody's opinion that is not educated, I think it's wrong. I'd leave Harry alone. 

"Rory's playing better than anybody this year and they're still giving the caddie flack. It's out of order."

Diamond came in for heavy criticism in the immediate aftermath of McIlroy's nearmiss at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2. 

McIlroy's club selections over the closing holes were called into question. 

Foster believes the Diamond and McIlroy partnership will learn from what transpired and ultimately be better for it.

"We all make mistakes out there and you learn from them," Foster added. "You move on and that's it.

He added: "I think what happened to Rory at the U.S. Open last year has made him into a different animal to be quite honest. 

"It's made him stronger, what happened to him.

"I said it at the start of the season, I think it'll make him a lot stronger going forward and he's showing that already.

"The way he played the last hole at Pebble Beach, an iron off the tee and laying it up and chipping on, which the Rory of old would have probably wanged a driver down there, he's maturing and looks mentally stronger through what happened at the U.S. Open last year." 

Foster believes McIlroy is currently the best player in the world. 

"I [would] find it staggering if Rory doesn't win a major this year," he added.

McIlroy will play one more PGA Tour event before he heads to Augusta.

He's in the field for the forthcoming Texas Children's Houston Open. 

Foster was speaking to Prime Casino.