Tiger Woods‘ former coach Hank Haney has urged Rory McIlroy to stick with caddie Harry Diamond despite his recent woes.
It has been a difficult year so far for McIlroy, who fumbled the chance to end his 10-year major championship drought in June after a disastrous collapse at the US Open.
The Northern Irishman also struggled at last week’s BMW Championship in Colorado, where he threw one of his clubs into the water and even snapped his driver in half amid frustration over his form.
After McIlroy crumbled in astonishing fashion at the US Open, Diamond – his close friend and long-time caddie – drew criticism from Haney over their choice of club on the 15th hole of the final round, branding it a ‘bad decision’.
The 69-year-old – who previously worked with golf legend Woods for six years – said that caddies being friends with golfers only works if the caddie is assertive.
McIlroy hit back at his comments by saying: ‘Hank Haney has never been in that position.
‘Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything and that he doesn’t do anything. I just wish that, you know, these guys that criticize when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.’
He also added: ‘Someone said to me once, if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either. Certainly wouldn’t go to Hank Haney for advice.’
A few months on from their spat, Haney has stressed that he still believes Diamond is a ‘great’ caddie for McIlroy.
And in light of his recent problems, Woods’ ex-coach is not convinced that parting with him is the answer.
When asked on X if McIlroy will return with a new caddie in 2025, Haney told a fan: ‘No, I think his caddie is great for him. I never said he wasn’t great for Rory, I said they made a mistake on #15 at the US Open.
Hank Haney – who worked with Woods for six years – was recently criticized by McIlroy for his comments on Diamond
Haney had taken aim at the Northern Irishman’s caddie for a ‘bad mistake’ at the US Open
‘I actually am actually a big fan of friend caddie’s, anyone can make a mistake.’
McIlroy appeared set to end his decade-long major title drought at the US Open, only to bogey three of the last four holes – and miss two putts from inside four feet – to hand Bryson DeChambeau the championship.
And as his form deteriorated at the BMW Championship, the red mist descended for him in Colorado.
At one stage the world No. 3 fired off a wayward shot with his ball coming to rest on the bank just above a creek that meanders down the right side of the fairway, narrowly avoiding the drink.
He then used the club as a crutch while leaning over to pick up his tee, but was almost sent tumbling as it gave way beneath him, bending and shattering.
One day earlier, McIlroy angrily tossed his 3 wood golf club into the water in disgust as he let his frustrations boil over after a tough day on the green.
The four-time major champion although still clearly annoyed dejectedly walked down to the bank of the water to collect his golf club out of the water.