Who Is Rory McIlroy’s Caddie?

McIlroy enjoyed a fruitful eight years with JP Fitzgerald before teaming up with his best friend Harry Diamond

Who Is Rory McIlroy’s Caddie?
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Who Is Rory McIlroy’s Caddie?

Rory McIlroy has his best friend, Harry Diamond on the bag. The pair grew up together in Holywood, Co Down, and although another of his friends, Niall O'Connor, took the bag in 2022 - during which time they won the RBC Canadian Open together - Diamond quickly returned.

O’Connor, a friend who met McIlroy in his late teens, caddied for McIlroy once before, at the 2019 DP World Championship in Dubai. He played high-level rugby for Ulster and is also a keen golfer. The partnership came about because McIlroy's usual caddie, Diamond, was expecting a second child with his wife. McIlroy and Diamond teamed up in 2017 after McIlroy and JP Fitzgerald split after eight years and four Majors together. It was thought to be a short-term alliance, and many thought he would seek a more experienced looper, but they have been together ever since.

The pair, who have enjoyed nine PGA Tour victories together as well as two FedEx Cup triumphs in 2019 in 2022, have been friends since their junior days at Holywood Golf Club. Diamond was also an outstanding player, representing Ireland as a youngster. In 2012, he won the West of Ireland Championship which earned him a spot at the Irish Open that year. As well as being on McIlroy's bag, Diamond was also by his side as Best Man when his boss married Erica Stoll in Co Meath in 2017. Diamond enjoyed a spell off studying yardage booklets to arrange the stag party in Miami. 

McIlroy describes the relationship as being particularly close. "I was an only child and Harry was a big brother. We’re very close. I love having him on the bag. I’m a different person. And I’m never going to give him sh** even if something goes wrong. It would not be worth it.” 

rory mcilroy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The pair are yet to win a Major together, something that is repeatedly pointed out with McIlroy having been stuck on four since 2014, but one of their high points came when Diamond talked McIlroy into taking a penalty drop at the 72nd hole before finding the green at Quail Hollow.

“Harry was awesome out there especially that decision on the last,” reflected McIlroy. “I was ready to get in there and try to play that with a lob wedge and he was sort of like, ‘Let's take a step back, let's think about this, where's the best place you're hitting your third from.’

"So he sort of calmed me down, slowed me down a little bit and said, ‘Pal, let's just think about this.’ Ultimately we made the right decision, it's Harry and I's sixth win together and it's probably been our best one. Bay Hill back in 2018 was great because I hadn't won in a while, but this is even better just because Harry's been there every step of the way."

After McIlroy's win at The Players in 2019, he described Diamond as 'one of the best caddies out here, if not the best'.

Off the course, Diamond is fairly private, staying away from social media and saying very little about his work with McIlroy. He is believed to own a number of his own businesses, including several bars.

How Much Does Rory McIlroy's Caddie Make?

Needless to say, McIlroy is one of the hottest bags in the world. The four-time Major winner reportedly paid Fitzgerald 10 per cent of his $9 million he took home that day from his FedEx Cup bonus in 2016 and 10 percent from the Tour Championship earnings. 

McIlroy picked up $2.25m for his Players win in 2019 and his PGA Tour earnings range from $4-7m a year so, whatever percentage Diamond is on, he'll be earning a lot more than many players. There is also the nice little kicker that they are best friends so you would imagine that there are plenty of bonuses to go with the private jets and luxurious lifestyle.

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer