Rory McIlroy jokes about caddie Harry Diamond's future: "Unless he can find a better bag"

Masters champion Rory McIlroy says he does not need extra motivation for the rest of his career but trying to complete a clean sweep of majors with Harry Diamond on his bag would be 'very special'. 

McIlroy hired his childhood friend in 2017 following his split with JP Fitzgerald. 

The pair won numerous titles together in Europe and America and were even part of two home Ryder Cup victories. 

But it took the duo until April 2025 to finally experience major championship success.

In the immediate aftermath of slipping on his green jacket at Augusta National, McIlroy said he couldn't think of anyone better to share the experience with after 'all the crap' that Diamond had taken. 

He was referencing the many pundits, analysts and even Tour players who urged the Northern Irishman to consider sacking Diamond so he could try and end his 10-year wait for a major title. 

McIlroy told reporters before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Tuesday he looks forward to spending plenty more years with his best pal by his side. 

Unless he can find a better bag, McIlroy joked. 

"I don't think I need any extra motivation to try to win major championships, but I think doing it with him definitely adds something more and is very special," McIlroy said. 

"Look, we've done a lot in the game together. We've won Ryder Cups. We've won FedExCups. We've won Ryder Cups. We've won players championships. 

"We've won the Masters. We've done a lot in the game. It's not like I'm trying to give him new experiences but at the same time last week winning with him on the bag or winning the Masters, that - you have to ask him, but it certainly means a lot to me that my oldest friend and the guy that I can talk to about anything is there beside me when I'm doing these things."

McIlroy earned his 20th DP World Tour title last week in front of his home fans at the Amgen Irish Open. 

He sank a 25-foot eagle putt on the 72nd hole to force a sudden-death play-off against Sweden's Joakim Lagergren. 

The putt sparked wild scenes at the K Club and he went on to win the title on the third extra hole with a birdie after his opponent found the water.

McIlroy said: "You know, even like last week, it was cool seeing the images of us together, him caddies for me 20 years ago at the 2005 Irish Open. 

"Fast forward 20 years, we are still on the course and striding the fairways together.

"Yeah, like, I'm excited about what the future holds, and excited that hopefully Harry is going to be part of that journey besides me, unless he feels he can get a better bag, but hopefully have another few good years left."

"History will tell you it's very difficult"

In a few weeks' time, McIlroy will once again spearhead the European challenge in the Ryder Cup. 

McIlroy played a starring role in Europe's five-point victory two years ago in Italy, avenging his lacklustre performance at Whistling Straits in 2021. 

The Ulsterman declared in the team's news conference at Marco Simone that Europe would win at Bethpage. 

McIlroy told reporters here that he and the rest of the team are under no illusion just how difficult the task at hand is. 

Captain Luke Donald will take 11 out of the 12 players that completed the Italian job to New York, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his twin brother Nicolai in the 12-man team.

"There's a reason that in the last decade, each Ryder Cup has went to the home team," McIlroy said. 

"Yeah, look, it would obviously be great to bring the Ryder Cup back to these shores, and, look, we know how difficult it's going to be. 

"We are under no illusion. I have complete confidence and Luke and his vice captains and the team that they have put together.

"I keep saying this: We have a massive opportunity to do something that not a lot of Ryder Cup teams say that they have done. 

"I have been lucky enough to be part of one Ryder Cup Team that won away. 

"We have got a lot of people within that team, whether they are myself and Justin Rose that are playing, but then obviously you've got Francesco and Luke on the vice captain side that were there that played. So we have experience in knowing what it takes."

McIlroy said Europe will not only have to get past 12 quality American golfers but also the crowd. 

"And that's the same thing that they feel when we come here and play in Europe," he said. 

"Just it definitely gives you a bit of an in-built advantage to start the week, and that's something definitely that we're going to have to overcome.

"But I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I don't want to speak on behalf of everyone that's on the team but I would assume that we are all very, very excited for that opportunity."