Rory McIlroy critics should 'get a life' after US Open defeat

Sky Sports pundit Wayne Riley has come to the defence of Rory McIlroy and his caddie Harry Diamond, telling detractors to " get a life " in the run-up to this week's Open Championship. After a gut-wrenching setback at last month's US Open denied him his first major championship win in ten years, McIlroy and Diamond found themselves under intense scrutiny.

The Northern Irish golfer had seized the lead from Bryson DeChambeau during the final round at Pinehurst No 2, but faltered with bogeys on three of the last four holes, missing out by a single stroke and adding another chapter to his major tournament woes.

Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup legend, Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' ex-coach, and NBC analyst Smylie Kaufman were among those who cast doubt on Diamond's influence during the collapse, especially questioning the choice to have McIlroy drive on the 18th when he hadn't done so throughout the week. McIlroy's drive veered left into rough terrain, and after a difficult lie, he failed to make par.

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Riley, known as "Radar" Sky's on-course correspondent, witnessed the dramatic final round firsthand and insists that the criticism aimed at McIlroy and Diamond is unwarranted, reports the Mirror .

"I mean, honestly, who are these guys to criticise Rory McIlroy? Get a life," Riley expressed to Mirror Sport at Royal Troon. "You think Rory McIlroy doesn't know what a good caddie is? One of his best mates is on the bag and they have won all sorts of championships.

"Where were they all a couple of years ago when he was going up the last hole of 'The Green Mile' at Quail Hollow when Harry said 'Just play it out there'? Great bit of caddying, we heard it all. Where were [the critics] then? They didn't say anything.

"Just because Rory didn't win the US Open, they all go at Harry Diamond. Harry can't hit the putts for him. Rory is going to pull whatever club he wants; Rory controls his own destiny. That's what makes him great."

Diamond has a quiet, understated demeanour on the course, leading to questions about whether he is the right man to support McIlroy in the biggest moments. But McIlroy has staunchly defended his right-hand man, offering a brutal response to Haney in particular at last week's Scottish Open, saying he had no interest in his advice or criticism.

Riley, however, believes Diamond is the ideal fit for McIlroy at this stage of his career and he believes he does not get the respect he deserves for their achievements together.

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"If you can find a caddie who is a very dear friend, you're a lucky man. Harry Diamond fits that bill," Riley added. "Rory McIlroy wouldn't have Harry Diamond on the bag if he didn't think he was the right guy. Rory is a multi-millionaire, a four-time major champion, a three-time FedEx champion and however many Race To Dubais. Rory McIlroy has done everything in the game and if Harry Diamond wasn't the right guy, he wouldn't be on the bag."

After a three-week break following his loss at Pinehurst, McIlroy made a strong comeback at the Scottish Open last week. He finished four shots behind the winner, Bob MacIntyre, tying for fourth place at The Renaissance Club. Going into Royal Troon, he is the second favourite, trailing only world No. 1 and current Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

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