Rory McIlroy and his caddy Harry Diamond have been attracting a lot of attention for a long time, especially after the last US Open. The Northern Irish golfer was on the verge of victory, but many experts pointed out that Diamond could and should have acted differently in that tournament.
Nick O’Hern, a famous Australian golfer, believes that Rory should hire Billy Foster, the caddy who parted ways with Matt Fitzpatrick a few days ago.
During his guest appearance on ‘Talk Birdie To Me’, O’Hern pointed out that the 35-year-old must take advantage of the opportunity presented to him.
“Something that happened last week, Billy Foster split with Matt Fitzpatrick. And, that’s a big open door and I’m sure there’s a lot of big players vying to get Billy on their bag.”-he said, as quoted by Express.
He placed special emphasis on experience, believing that in moments when the atmosphere is heated and when you are on the verge of success, it is necessary to have an experienced figure next to you who can guide you on the way to victory. The Australian golfer is apparently not sure that Diamond is the right person for it. However, Matt Fitzpatrick’s former caddy could really help McIlroy in such moments.
“Now, Harry, who caddies for Rory and, as we know, is one of his best mates and he does a very good job. However, in those crucial clutch moments, that’s when you need someone who’s got the experience, who’s got the answer for the game, the feel that can sense it.”- he continued.
Nick O’Hern reflects on US Open 2024
The famous golfer looked back at the moment when Rory McIlroy experienced a real disaster at the US Open, having much different expectations. It was also the moment that brought the most criticism on Diamond’s account, but Rory McIlroy later pointed out that no one should blame his caddy, believing that he is absolutely not guilty in that case.
O’Hern explained how he saw the situation, stressing that Diamond had to act differently.
“If we go back to, for example, the US Open last year, when he lost to Bryson… What it was all about was a short miss putt on the 16 and a short miss putt on the 18. However, what they didn’t cover, and for me, the reason those things happened, was putt selection on 15 on the par-3,” O’Hern said.
“A great caddie there would have said, ‘No Rory, you aren’t hitting this club. We are gonna put you at the front of this green and you are gonna have a long putt but it will be uphill and I am backing you from the two-putt there.’ Billy Foster is the kind of guy who would’ve said, ‘Rory, we’re not doing this. We’re gonna do this right here’.”
