LIV Golf caddie shares honest verdict on Harry Diamond as Rory McIlroy’s hunt for major number five continues

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Rory McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, has been criticised after the Northern Irishman’s winless major championship run continued in 2024.

Diamond was criticised at the US Open after allowing McIlroy to hit driver on the 18th and a seven-iron on the par-three 15th, which flew the green.

Furthermore, after McIlroy’s near miss at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Diamond came under fire once more.

However, Chris Rice – who carries Harold Varner III’s bag on LIV – believes the criticism of Diamond is incredibly harsh.

LIV Golf caddie defends Harry Diamond

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Speaking on the Rick Shiels Golf Show, Rice claimed Diamond was facing ‘heat’ for no apparent reason.

“I think you can only talk the player into doing so much, and if the play doesn’t want to do it, then he’s the one that’s top five in the world and hit the shot,” Rice said. “If Harry’s trying to get him to hit three-wood and he doesn’t want to do it, there’s only so much you can do.

“Rory then hits the driver and makes a mistake; Harry’s the one who gets the heat. I think he’s getting a lot of heat for no apparent reason, I’ll be honest.”

Colin Montgomerie says Harry Diamond should have done more at US Open

Despite a fellow caddie defending Diamond, many believe McIlroy’s man should have done more.

“He hadn’t done it all week, and the caddie should have stopped him,” Colin Montgomerie told The Times. “Bryson was missing every fairway, the worst in the field on Sunday. In the end, he was just thrashing it, and it was a long-drive competition.”

McIlroy, however, has defended Diamond throughout the 2024 season. “It’s certainly unfair. Hank Haney has never been in that position, but Smylie has been in that position once. I loved him, and he was in that position on 18,” McIlroy said after the US Open.

“But just because Harry is not as vocal or as loud with his words as other caddies doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything or do anything.”