Ireland's Shane Lowry has claimed that the flak Rory McIlroy and his caddie, Harry Diamond, received from members of the golf fraternity drove him crazy.
McIlroy was on course for his first major in 10 years at Pinehurst last month but blew a two-shot lead with five holes to play, handing victory to Bryson DeChambeau. Many questions have been asked about McIlroy's resolve, and people also wonder if he will ever win another major again.
McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, also came under fire for his role in the collapse. DP World Tour player Eddie Pepperell said, “He looked so comfortable and in control, and he just needed to hit it to the front part of that green on 15. And I really think he would have walked away with that trophy. That was an inexplicable club decision on 15 and possibly the last too.
“I just think Rory needs somebody who’s capable, like JP (Fitzgerald) probably used to be able to do, and help him get across that line.”
McIlroy then defended his long-time friend Diamond from the critics.
Shane Lowry 🤝 Harry Diamond
Lowry says he will 'argue with anyone' who questions Rory McIlroy's caddie 😡😤#BBCGolf pic.twitter.com/XMAe3UnYsm
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) July 16, 2024
Lowry, who has been playing at The Open at Royal Troon this week, says the criticism of McIlroy and Diamond has driven him nuts.
"It's the one thing that really drives me insane. 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 caddie for Rory McIlroy, and I see it week in and week out. 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 in 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."
Lowry also believes that few are fit to comment on the circumstances that McIlroy found himself in at the US Open.
"When Rory hit that chip shot on 18, I knew that 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 a while. Like I say, honestly, I've lived through the situation. I don't think anybody is fit to comment on it."
