counter stats Legendary caddie leaps to the defence of Rory McIlroy’s bagman Harry Diamond – open Dazem

Legendary caddie leaps to the defence of Rory McIlroy’s bagman Harry Diamond

ICONIC caddie Billy Foster has leapt to the defence of Rory McIlroy’s bagman Harry Diamond.

Matt Fitzpatrick’s now former caddie also insists the Holywood ace is the man to beat in the majors this year.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie, Harry Diamond, pose with the trophy after winning the playoff in the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 17, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Billy Foster has backed Rory McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond ahead of the 2025 Masters
GAINESVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 25:  Tiger Woods (R) of the U.S. chats with his caddie, Billy Foster, on the second hole during the Sunday Singles Matches at the 2005 Presidents Cup on September 25, 2005 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.  (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Billy Foster, who recently split with 2022 US Open champions Matt Fitzpatrick, has previously caddied for the likes of Tiger Woods and the great Seve Ballesteros

Foster and 2022 US Open winner Fitzpatrick split earlier this year after a six year partnership.

World number two McIlroy has bagged two win on the 2025 PGA Tour season so far.

McIlroy has been criticised for failing to win a major since 2014, with long-time friend and caddie Harry Diamond also facing the wrath of the media and public.

But Foster isn’t having any of it as he insists Diamond is not to blame for McIlroy’s 11-year major drought.

Speaking to Prime Casino, the Englishman staunchly defended the Down natives bagman.

Foster said: “The criticism is not fair at all.

“It makes me laugh really at the people getting on his back. He has just won two signature events and The Players’ Championship, in four starts and they’re still on his back.

“Give the lad a break. He’s a very good caddie. Harry, don’t read the s****. That’s simple as. Because it is s****.

“Somebody’s opinion that is not educated, I think it’s wrong. I’d leave Harry alone.

“Rory’s playing better than anybody this year and they’re still giving the caddy flack. It’s out of order.


“Harry is his best mate, isn’t he? He has always been. He was there before he started caddying for him. Harry was his best mate. Harry’s a very good golfer in his own right too.

“He’s a plus two handicap or whatever he is and keeps himself to himself. He does everything right, he just needs to be left alone and left to get on with it.

“He does a really good job. I can only see the relationship getting stronger and stronger. He’s caddied for him for a number of years now.

“Listen, we all make mistakes out there and you learn from them. You move on and that’s it.”

The Northern Irishman bagged the won his second Players Championship after he won the AT&T Pebble Beach PRO AM, and is the only player to have won twice on tour this season.

But the four-time major winners prime focus is on Augusta National with the Masters just two weeks away.

McIlroy jetted to the Georgia venue prior to taking part in this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open.

The 36-year-old detailed the damage and changes to the course after Hurricane Helene, last September, while on his scouting mission at Augusta.

Four greens – including the 16th – were re-seeded and relaid after the hurricane wreaked havoc.

But the Northern Irishman said that changes were minimal on the course, despite some major work for the greenkeeper and his team.

He said: “The loss of a few trees is definitely noticeable, they’ve had to redo that [16th] green but it’s exactly the same as what it was.

“The hole will play – apart from maybe a few less shadows on the green late in the day – because of a couple of trees that were lost, but apart from that, it’s pretty much the same.”

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