Rory McIlroy is no stranger to criticism. Being one of the biggest names in golf, the Irishman is often under the radar for everything he does. Unfortunately, his caddie, Harry Diamond, also faces the same backlash because of his association with his boss. But McIlroy just revealed why he always steps in to back his bagman when things go south.

“I think because Harry hates the spotlight, hates doing any sort of media, because he’s not as outspoken. You know, people don’t hear from him. So he never has an opportunity to stand up for himself,” McIlroy told the media during a Masters Tournament 2026 presser. He added, “So that’s where I step in, and I try to be that one that stands up for him because no one knows what he’s doing or thinking or saying because he doesn’t want anyone to know what he is doing or thinking or saying.”

Diamond is rarely seen indulging in interviews or commenting on situations. McIlroy is the one who takes the lead in front of the media. But the Irishman doesn’t mind defending his caddie as he is an irreplaceable individual in his team.

“I think they don’t understand that he provides a level of comfort on the golf course for me that probably no one else in the world could. You know, if I make a mistake or we make a mistake, I’m much less likely to get angry or get bothered by it because he’s the one on the bag rather than someone else. It’s much harder for me to get angry at myself or at him with him next to me than it would be with someone else.”

McIlroy and Diamond have been friends ever since the Irishman was seven years old. Back then, the caddie was also pursuing a career in golf. In fact, he was a top amateur golfer himself. Over the years, their relationship transitioned from friendship to a brotherly partnership built on trust and loyalty.

Diamond trusts his boss to have his back at all times. McIlroy knows that his caddie understands him the best and can help regulate his emotions. That’s something the Grand Slam champion won’t be able to find with anyone else. And he knows that his bagman is completely committed to his role as an advisor on the course.

“He’s obviously a very loyal friend, but at the same time, he’s doing it solely for the purpose for us to go out there and win major championships and big tournaments, and that’s enough for him.”

As McIlroy mentioned, Diamond is working hard so both of them can succeed. Not that he doesn’t benefit from it. But the Irishman trusts that his caddy’s goals align with his own. That’s the reason they are able to sustain their relationship for so long.

Diamond has been McIlroy’s caddie ever since he turned pro. But the PGA Tour pro mentioned that they have faced a lot of criticism for sticking together over the years.

Rory McIlroy & Harry Diamond vs. the world

The dynamic between Rory McIlroy and Harry Diamond has always been clear. And the caddie trusts his boss to have his back. But the golf community has always been against his long stay besides the Irishman.

A few weeks before he won the Masters Tournament, Matt Fitzpatrick had split with his caddie, Billy Foster. With the Irishman going through a decade-long major drought, he was advised to hire Foster as his caddie. Fortunately, McIlroy and Diamond proved the doubters wrong in April 2025.

In 2024, even Eddie Pepperell had stated something similar during a podcast, “A strong caddie, a Stevie Williams-type figure, I’m adamant would have could have just got hold of Rory on 15 and just pulled him through that finish. I just think Rory needs somebody who’s capable, like (former caddie) JP (Fitzgerald) probably used to be able to do and help him get across that line.”

He believed that with a better caddie, McIlroy would have been a Grand Slam champion much sooner. That would have been the case, but would the Irishman still maintain his composure on the course with a different caddie?

There are multiple instances of experts and fans criticizing Diamond and asking McIlroy to fire him. But the pair have never split throughout his professional career so far.