Golf

Harry Diamond: Who is Rory McIlroy's caddie?

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy with caddie Harry Diamond during day one of The Open at Royal Liverpool, Wirral. Picture by David Davies, PA
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy with caddie Harry Diamond during day one of The Open at Royal Liverpool, Wirral. Picture by David Davies, PA
By Rohit Balaji

From raking bunkers to selecting the right clubs, the diverse responsibilities of a caddie underscore why every good golfer needs a trusted teammate by their side.

Rory McIlroy's caddie is his lifelong friend Harry Diamond.

The two grew up together in Holywood, Co Down and have been friends since childhood. 

Diamond took over as McIlroy's full-time caddie in late 2017 after McIlroy parted ways with his previous caddie of nine years, JP Fitzgerald.

Diamond and McIlroy's history

McIlroy and Diamond met as youngsters when they both started playing golf at Holywood Golf Club in County Down, Northern Ireland.

In an interview with The Independent, McIlroy has said he saw Diamond as an "older brother" growing up since he was an only child.

The two remained very close friends into adulthood.

Diamond had stepped in to caddie for McIlroy at tournaments occasionally over the years, including at the 2005 Irish Open when McIlroy was just 15 years old.

He was also McIlroy's best man at his wedding to Erica Stoll in 2017.

How long has Harry Diamond been Rory's caddie?

McIlroy brought on Diamond when he decided it was time to part ways with his caddie of nine years, JP Fitzgerald, after the 2017 Masters tournament. 

He felt there had been some complacency in his long-term partnership with Fitzgerald.

When McIlroy brought in his good friend Harry Diamond as a temporary caddie replacement, he found he really enjoyed working with him.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (right) with caddie Harry Diamond on the 5th hole during a practice round ahead of The Open at the Royal Liverpool, Wirral. Picture by Richard Sellers, PA.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (right) with caddie Harry Diamond on the 5th hole during a practice round ahead of The Open at the Royal Liverpool, Wirral. Picture by Richard Sellers, PA.

Diamond soon transitioned into the full-time role.

The only time Diamond has not been on McIlroy's bag since becoming the permanent caddie were during the births of Diamond's two children in 2019 and 2022.

For those tournaments, McIlroy used replacement caddie Niall O'Connor, a fellow Irish golfer and former rugby player whom McIlroy is also friends with.

Diamond's golf career

Diamond was a talented junior golfer himself and won the West of Ireland Championship in 2012 which earned him a spot to play in that year's Irish Open.

At his peak, he had an impressive +2.5 handicap.

However, Diamond missed the cut after the first two rounds at the Irish Open held at Royal Portrush's Dunluce Course. 

He was also a finalist at the 2011 North of Ireland Championship earlier in his amateur career.

Though Diamond competed at a high level as a junior, he did not pursue professional golf.

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Relationship on and off the course

McIlroy and Diamond's lifelong friendship provides a strong foundation for their successful caddie-player partnership.

McIlroy has frequently praised Diamond's calming presence and strategic advice out on the course.

Diamond has been on the bag for several of McIlroy's PGA Tour victories since 2017.

2023 Ryder Cup

In 2023 Rory McIlroy was reduced to "tears" by an emotional video message from his caddie ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The personal video from best friend Harry Diamond was played for the Holywood-born sports star at a Ryder Cup Team Europe meeting.

Every European player received a similar message from someone close to them.

After watching the video, the world number two spoke of how they have enjoyed an "incredible" friendship after meeting aged just seven at Holywood Golf Club in Co Down where McIlroy is from.

"There were a lot of tears shed," McIlroy told the BBC Sport NI.

"Harry did my one, just sort of bringing us through our journey."

"From when we were kids, meeting at Holywood Golf Club when we were seven years old on the putting green to all the way through and playing amateur golf together, and now we're doing our third Ryder Cup together and everything that we've done in between that time," he said.

"It's incredible."