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Harry Diamond has been known for keeping a low profile when it comes to giving interviews.
But on Wednesday at the 153rd Open Championship, the Ulsterman gave a brief glimpse into his and Rory’s preparations, with just one day to go until go time.
A lifelong friend of the World Number Two, Harry has been on Rory’s bag since 2017. The two grew up together in Holywood, Northern Ireland, and have been close ever since their junior days at Holywood Golf Club.
After McIlroy’s win at The Players in 2019, he described Diamond as “one of the best caddies out here, if not the best.”
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the pair. Diamond has faced criticism whenever Rory has come under fire for not winning tournaments — a reason, perhaps, why Harry tends to avoid the spotlight.
Rory McIlroy and caddy Harry Diamond – 2025 The Masters – JD Cuban
When McIlroy won his fifth major at this year’s Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, he had some more than warm words for his best bud:
“To be able to share this with him after all the close calls that we’ve had, all the stuff that he’s had to take from people that don’t know anything about the game — yeah, this one is just as much his as it is mine. He’s a massive part of what I do, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to share it with than him.”
On Wednesday morning, on the eve of the 153rd Open Championship, in a rare moment, Harry was doorstepped by TV presenter Di Stewart on The R&A’s “Live at the Range” broadcast.
Here’s the full exchange between Di and Harry as Rory continued his practice on the range.
Di: Harry, you are doing a good job there, cleaning the grips?
Harry: Yes, trying my best.
Di: Do you do this everyday?
Harry: Uh, every other day usually. Just trying to get the tackiness back in them so then he (Rory) can hold on tight.
Di: And the bag, everything sorted? Anything in particular in the bag this week?
Harry: Nothing new. We’ve had the 2 iron in the bag for the past couple of events to get used to that. Use the low bounce 60 degree as well most of the year, so pretty much the same set up.
Di: And what you doing today? What’s the plan?
Harry: I think we are going to try and play the front nine, try to take it easy!
Di: You were having a bit of a giggle with Darren Clarke yesterday.
Harry: Yeah he’s good fun, he was flying.
Di: He is, we spoke to him at the beginning of the week and he hit the first tee shot (here in 2019) 6:35am is the first tee shot this week and Padraig Harrington has got the honour and he’s excited about that. You guys all hang out though don’t you?
Harry: Yeah, yeah. We play a lot of practice rounds together but we don’t get to see too much of Darren as he’s obviously on the Champions Tour but it’s great to see him.
Di: Rory on good form?
Harry: Great form. Hitting it well, just got to get off to a good start tomorrow.
Rory and Harry get their first round underway tomorrow at 3:10 pm local time.
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