Who Is Rory McIlroy’s Caddie?

Who Is Rory McIlroy’s Caddie?

Rory McIlroy has his best friend, Harry Diamond on the bag. The pair grew up together in Holywood, Co Down, and although another of his friends, Niall O'Connor, took the bag in 2022 - during which time they won the RBC Canadian Open together - Diamond quickly returned.

O’Connor, a friend who met McIlroy in his late teens, caddied for McIlroy once before, at the 2019 DP World Championship in Dubai. He played high-level rugby for Ulster and is also a keen golfer. The partnership came about because McIlroy's usual caddie, Diamond, was expecting a second child with his wife. McIlroy and Diamond teamed up in 2017 after McIlroy and JP Fitzgerald split after eight years and four Majors together. It was thought to be a short-term alliance, and many thought he would seek a more experienced looper, but they have been together ever since.

The pair, who have enjoyed nine PGA Tour victories together as well as two FedEx Cup triumphs in 2019 in 2022, have been friends since their junior days at Holywood Golf Club. Diamond was also an outstanding player, representing Ireland as a youngster. In 2012, he won the West of Ireland Championship which earned him a spot at the Irish Open that year. As well as being on McIlroy's bag, Diamond was also by his side as Best Man when his boss married Erica Stoll in Co Meath in 2017. Diamond enjoyed a spell off studying yardage booklets to arrange the stag party in Miami. 

McIlroy describes the relationship as being particularly close. "I was an only child and Harry was a big brother. We’re very close. I love having him on the bag. I’m a different person. And I’m never going to give him sh** even if something goes wrong. It would not be worth it.” 

The pair are yet to win a Major together, something that is repeatedly pointed out with McIlroy having been stuck on four since 2014, but one of their high points came when Diamond talked McIlroy into taking a penalty drop at the 72nd hole before finding the green at Quail Hollow.

“Harry was awesome out there especially that decision on the last,” reflected McIlroy. “I was ready to get in there and try to play that with a lob wedge and he was sort of like, ‘Let's take a step back, let's think about this, where's the best place you're hitting your third from.’

"So he sort of calmed me down, slowed me down a little bit and said, ‘Pal, let's just think about this.’ Ultimately we made the right decision, it's Harry and I's sixth win together and it's probably been our best one. Bay Hill back in 2018 was great because I hadn't won in a while, but this is even better just because Harry's been there every step of the way."

After McIlroy's win at The Players in 2019, he described Diamond as 'one of the best caddies out here, if not the best'.

Off the course, Diamond is fairly private, staying away from social media and saying very little about his work with McIlroy. He is believed to own a number of his own businesses, including several bars.

• Rory McIlroy What's In The Bag 
• Who is Rory McIlroy's Wife
• Who is Rory McIlroy's Coach