Rory McIlroys caddie makes rare move just before | Golf News

Rory McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, usually shuns the highlight, but he granted an interview before The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. It comes only weeks after McIlroy stole $25,000 from Scottie Scheffler’s pocket.

The substance of his dialog with The Open’s ‘Live From The Range’ protection wasn’t significantly eye-opening, yet the mere truth that he agreed to speak speaks volumes about Team McIlroy’s mindset approaching an Open on home turf in Northern Ireland.

As his employer practiced pictures on the vary, Diamond answered questions about McIlroy‘s tools setup for the week and any changes to his golf equipment, mentioning they might sort out Portrush’s back 9 on Wednesday before “taking it easy” until Thursday’s first spherical. The pair are assured of McIlroy’s type despite a brutal Open Championship pediction.

Diamond remarked: “[Rory is] in great form. Hitting it well, we just need to get off to a good start tomorrow,” alluding to the world No. 2’s disastrous eight-over-par opening spherical at Portrush six years in the past that resulted in a missed cut.

Diamond revealed no insider info from the McIlroy camp before the event, but his willingness to conduct an interview at all displays the calm ambiance that the five-time main winner has projected since arriving at Royal Portrush on Monday.

The 36-year-old appeared composed and at ease during his Monday press convention, and all through Tuesday’s follow spherical, he bore no resemblance to somebody burdened by expectations – though some skilled autograph seekers skilled his frustration when McIlroy grew weary of their habits.

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McIlroy’s present mindset is a stark distinction to his expertise at Portrush six years in the past when he admits he wasn’t prepared to deal with the stress of being the native favourite in a main championship.

Coming off a runner-up end at the Scottish Open final week, however, he appears well-positioned to vie for his second Claret Jug.

“It means an awful lot [to be back home]. It’s weird, it doesn’t feel like six years have passed since 2019. I think it’s amazing that Portrush has this opportunity so soon after the last Open to host again,” McIlroy expressed during his press convention.

“Just great to be back. I don’t spend a lot of time in these parts anymore with travel schedule, living abroad, all that stuff. To be here, to see a lot of familiar faces was really nice. It’s really nice to be back, and obviously very excited for the week.

“When I used to be wanting at the calendar for 2025, this was the event that was in all probability, I do not know, circled, even more so than the Masters for completely different causes. It’s pretty to be coming in right here already with a main and all the things else that’s occurred this yr.

“I’m excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. I feel like I’m in a good spot and had — not that last week was a pure preparation week, but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here.”