1 week Ago By Harry Brent
As Rory McIlroy sank the clutch birdie on the final green, finally capturing his first Masters win , the weight of years chasing the elusive title melted away. But it was what happened seconds later – a raw, tear-soaked hug with his caddie and childhood friend Harry Diamond – that truly captured the essence of the journey. Their emotional embrace on the 18th wasn't just celebration; it reflected a relationship built through highs, lows, and endless scrutiny.
In triumphing at Augusta, McIlroy entered rarefied air, becoming only the sixth player ever to complete the modern Grand Slam, joining the ranks of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Still, McIlroy made clear: this was Diamond's victory, too. "This one is just as much his as it is mine," McIlroy said in his post-victory press conference, his voice cracking with emotion.
"I've known Harry since I was seven-years-old. He's been like a big brother to me the whole way through my life." The first met on the putting green at Holywood Golf Club near Belfast back in 1996.
A shared obsession with the sport sparked a lasting friendship, which turned into a working relationship in 2017. At that point, McIlroy was in a slump – three years without a major, and nothing to show for all of 2017. After splitting with JP Fitzgerald, he needed a fresh direction.
Although big-name caddies like Jim "Bones" Mackay and Steve Williams reached out, McIlroy chose Diamond, which puzzled some observers. But the gamble paid off. McIlroy's performance improved, including wins on the PGA Tour and strong showings in the Ryder Cup .
Yet, critics fixated on the missing piece: another major. Following McIlroy's 2024 US Open collapse , Hank Haney accused Diamond of poor judgment, citing a pivotal misstep on the 15th hole. He suggested a seasoned caddie might have changed the outcome.
McIlroy, however, didn't hesitate to defend his man. "Just because Harry is not as vocal or loud as other caddies, it doesn't mean he doesn't do anything," he asserted. "He's the best friend I could ever ask for.
" Diamond's understated manner has often drawn criticism, but McIlroy sees strength in his calmness. "He gets his fair share of stick, and it's not warranted," he noted after clinching the 2024 DP World Tour title. "He's an amazing caddie.
" That calming influence came through again during the Masters. After missing a five-footer to win on the 18th and heading into a playoff against Justin Rose, Diamond offered a grounding phrase: "Well, pal, we would have taken this on Monday morning." McIlroy recalled it clearly: "That reframed it for me.
I just kept telling myself, make the same swing." The hug that followed his winning putt symbolised years of shared struggle, resilience, and friendship. As McIlroy let tears fall on the 18th, the applause around him told the story.
It was a fitting climax for two people who weathered every storm together. "To be able to share this with him after all the close calls, all the cr*p he's had to take..
. I couldn't think of anyone better," McIlroy said afterwards. The path to that hug was anything but smooth.
Though McIlroy started Sunday with a two-stroke edge, the back nine proved unforgiving. A double bogey on the first hole and a wayward wedge into Rae's Creek on the 13th threatened to unravel him. But he clawed his way back, birdieing the 17th to regain the lead, only to falter again on the 18th, setting up a nerve-jangling playoff.
In that extra hole, McIlroy's gap wedge landed three feet from the pin - a shot of pure brilliance - before he sank the putt to claim his very first Green Jacket. For McIlroy, the win marked the end of a grueling 11-year major drought. For Diamond, it was the ultimate validation – his quiet excellence finally receiving its due.
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