Rónán MacNamara in Royal Troon
Shane Lowry launched a passionate defence of Harry Diamond after the caddie faced widespread criticism in the aftermath of last month’s US Open in Pinehurst.
Rory McIlroy played his last four holes in three-over-par to lose out to Bryson DeChambeau in what was his best chance to win a fifth major and first in ten years.
Diamond was blamed for McIlroy hitting too much club on his approach to the par-3 15th and taking driver on the 72nd hole when he had hit three wood in the previous three rounds. Diamond was also criticised for not settling down his player during the closing stretch and has often been generally questioned over his demeanour and lack of visible vocalness on the golf course.
“It’s the one thing that really drivers me insane,” stated Lowry. “I watched Rory and watched him miss those two putts and not win and then you have people criticising him and Harry which is, i mean, it really makes my blood boil.
“Harry Diamond is the best person in the world to caddy for Rory McIlroy and I see it week in week out and he works harder than any of the caddies out here he’s always here before him, walking the courses, he’s there for him and even though he’s not on the middle of the tee box like all these caddies who want to be on TV talking loud and telling Rory what to do he still makes his voice heard. Until you live that moment and that situation you never know how it is.”
“When Rory hit that chip shot on 18 I knew putt would be very difficult. I had that putt from 20 feet up the hill so I knew it would be very difficult, he just couldn’t play enough break on it. It was one of those things and i’m sure he’s thought of it for the last while.”
“Like I say, honestly, I’ve lived the situation. I don’t think anybody is fit to comment on it.”
Lowry has also experienced his own US Open heartache when he coughed up a four shot lead to Dustin Johnson in the final round at Oakmont Country Club.
The 2019 Open Championship winner obviously recovered but admitted that it did take him some time to get over his first major disappointment and insists McIlroy will be just fine after Pinehurst.
“Shane Lowry in 2016 and Rory McIlroy in 2024 are two completely different people so I think Rory will be able to handle it a lot better than I did. I really struggled for the next few months after the US Open and I was open about that but i’m sure Rory will be fine he looked like he played some nice golf last week, I watched a bit of it and he seems to be in great form on and off the course I feel he will bounce back nicely this week.”
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