Tiger Woods ' ex-coach Hank Haney has given a clear stance on Rory McIlroy potentially considering a caddie change after his US Open heartbreak.
Despite seeming on track to snap his major title drought that's lasted over a decade, McIlroy couldn't hold it together at Pinehurst No. 2 , bogeying three of the last four holes in June's US Open as his chance to clinch his first major since 2011 slipped away. The golf world has since speculated about McIlroy's caddie following the heartbreak.
Haney shared a clip on social media showing McIlroy tossing his club into the water in frustration during the BMW Championship, captioning it as McIlroy looking "not happy". Woods' ex-coach received a comment asking whether he thought a change of caddie could bring McIlroy a different fortune.
The former mentor replied by voicing his support for McIlroy's current caddie, Haney replied: "No, I think his caddie is great for him. I never said he wasn't great for Rory, I said they made a mistake on #15 at the US Open. I actually am actually a big fan of friend caddie's, anyone can make a mistake."
McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, is a childhood friend who served as best man at McIlroy's wedding. Diamond's role has been scrutinized following Bryson DeChambeau 's triumph over the Northern Irishman at the US Open. Despite Haney's support, he previously questioned having friends as caddies, fearing the relationship doesn't work if the caddie isn't assertive.
McIlroy replied by fiercely defending his caddie, stating: "It's certainly unfair. Hank Haney has never been in that position. Smylie has been in that position once, and I love Smylie, and he was out there with us on 18.
"But just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn't mean that he doesn't say anything and that he doesn't do anything. I just wish that these guys who criticize when things don't go my way ... they never say anything good when things do go my way.
"So where were they when I won Dubai earlier year or Quail Hollow or the two FedEx Cups that I've won with Harry or the two Ryder Cups or whatever? They are never there to say Harry did such a great job when I win, but they are always there to criticize when we don't win.
"At the end of the day, they are not there. They are not in the arena. They are not the ones hitting the shots and making the decisions. Someone said to me once, you would never-if you would never take advice from these people, you would never take their criticisms, either. Certainly wouldn't go to Hank Haney for advice. I love Smylie, but I think I know what I'm doing, and so does Harry."
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