Rory McIlroy explains what critics of his caddie Harry Diamond "never understood"

Rory McIlroy has explained what critics of his caddie Harry Diamond "never understood". 

Criticism of Diamond has been fairly consistent since he became the Northern Irishman's full-time looper in 2017 following his out-of-the-blue split with J.P. Fitzgerald.

McIlroy had won four majors with Fitzgerald by his side but the Ulsterman later hinted that their relationship had become strained and he wanted a fresh perspective. 

He turned to Diamond, his childhood friend, and although the McIlroy continued to shine on the PGA Tour and in Ryder Cups, the pair endured a number of near-misses in the major championships. 

As the years wore on, the calls for McIlroy to replace Diamond became even louder. 

Tiger Woods' ex-coach, Hank Haney, previously implored McIlroy to hire a "stronger caddie" after his implosion down the stretch at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. 

For his part, McIlroy said he wasn't prepared to take criticism from anyone he wasn't going to seek advice from. 

McIlroy broke down in tears last April as he explained what Diamond means to him in the immediate aftermath of his thrilling first Masters victory at Augusta. 

And ahead of his title defence next month, McIlroy opened up on their friendship. 

"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," McIlroy said. 

"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."

"I think [critics] 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…"

McIlroy also explained why we never hear from Diamond. 

"Harry hates the spotlight, hates doing any sort of media, because he's not as outspoken," said McIlroy. 

"You know, people don't hear from him. So he never has an opportunity to stand up for himself.

"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. 

"That's one of the things that I really appreciate about him."

Mickelson inspired McIlroy's Masters win

McIlroy also revealed Phil Mickelson's advice helped him to victory at Augusta. 

He played a practice round with the three-time green jacket winner around 15 years ago and Mickelson told him that he loved the Georgia venue because he can be "so aggressive". 

"I remember thinking, 'What does he mean?'" McIlroy said. "I feel the opposite. 

"I feel I can't be aggressive here because there’s so many bad places to miss. 

"But Phil had so much — still has, probably — faith in his short game that if he does miss an approach shot by being aggressive, he still feels he can get that ball up and down. 

"I would say by becoming a better putter and by maybe working on my short game a little bit and becoming better around the greens, that probably allowed me to become more aggressive with my approach play at Augusta."