Rory McIlroy’s childhood friend and caddie Harry Diamond has been by his side for his two Masters victories
Megan Martin and Aine Kenny
15:39, 13 Apr 2026
Rory McIlroy hugs his caddie, Harry Diamond, after his second Masters win(Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Masters on Sunday evening secured back-to-back wins for the Holywood man.
The success has inevitably drawn attention to his caddy, Harry Diamond, and the remarkable partnership between the pair.
Beyond what Rory himself has revealed – that they’re lifelong friends who met as youngsters at their local golf club in Northern Ireland – relatively little is known publicly about the bagman.
Here, we examine what information is available about Mr Diamond, covering both his personal circumstances and his journey in the sport.
Background
Originally from Belfast, Harry and Rory McIlroy grew up together in Holywood. Diamond showed considerable promise as an amateur golfer himself, with the pair first meeting as junior members at Holywood Golf Club. While Harry achieved notable success at amateur level, he ultimately decided against turning professional. Before taking up caddying on a full-time basis, he worked within the family firm, reports RSVP Live.
Although their friendship stretches back many years, Harry only started working alongside Rory in a professional capacity in 2017 after the golfer parted ways with his previous long-term caddy JP Fitzgerald. Since then, Harry has been present for every one of Rory’s professional tournament wins.
Wife and family life
Harry was formerly engaged to Irish designer Katie Larmour, sharing a five-year romance. Throughout his twenties, Harry’s romantic journey mirrored Rory’s, with the couple becoming engaged in Paris during October 2013 – merely two months ahead of Rory’s New Year’s Eve proposal to then-partner Caroline Wozniacki. However, come May 2014, Rory had called off his engagement, and shortly afterwards Harry and Katie separated, leaving both gentlemen single.
Nowadays, Harry keeps his personal life largely private with limited details emerging about his romantic circumstances. What is known is that he’s become a father. In 2019, Niall O’Connor, a friend of Rory’s, temporarily assumed caddying responsibilities at the DP World Championship in Dubai while Harry was reportedly anticipating his first child’s birth with his wife. Niall stepped in once more at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open when Harry and his wife were understood to be expecting their second child.
What are Harry’s duties as a caddy?
Harry Diamond helped Rory McIlroy win his second Masters title(Image: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
As caddy, Harry’s duties encompass providing support and counsel to Rory during play. Diamond additionally helps Rory with strategic decisions throughout tournaments, including matters like distances, wind factors, club choices and interpreting putts. From time to time, sports pundits have taken shots at Harry over on-course choices and for being more understated compared to other professional caddies, something Rory has consistently and firmly defended. “I wouldn’t have him on the bag if I didn’t think he was good at what he did,” he previously told BBC Sport.
“He’s grown into his role really well. I think our record speaks for itself. We’ve won a ton.
“I love having him on the bag. I’m a different person. And I’m never going to give him s**t even if something goes wrong. It would not be worth it.”
Following McIlroy’s sixth Race to Dubai victory in 2024, he was eager to put to bed the criticism that Diamond had faced throughout the year.
McIlroy said: “I want to give a shout to Harry, he’s been with me every step of the way for the last seven years now.
“He gets his fair share of stick and it’s not warranted – Harry is an amazing caddie and the best friend I could ever ask for.”
McIlroy subsequently described the criticism directed at Harry as “unfair”.
“Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t say anything and that he doesn’t do anything.
“I just wish that, you know, these guys that criticize when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way. They are never there to say Harry did such a great job when I win, but they are always there to criticize when we don’t win.”
What are Harry Diamond’s earnings as a caddie?
Generally, PGA Tour caddies earn approximately $2,000 weekly, plus a 10% cut of prize money.
Golf Magic reports that caddies typically receive an extra 7% bonus when their player secures a top-ten finish. For example, Rory’s Masters triumph will net him an impressive $4.2million (€3,845,564), meaning a 10% share would amount to €384,556.
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