In a recent press conference at the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy addressed the criticism aimed at his caddie, Harry Diamond, after his disappointing collapse at the U.S. Open. The Northern Irish golfer took a swing at his critics, stating that they are quick to criticize but fail to acknowledge his caddie's contributions when things go well on the course.

Diamond, a childhood friend of McIlroy's who has been his caddie since 2017, faced backlash for some of the decisions made during the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. One instance was McIlroy hitting a 7-iron instead of an 8-iron on the par-3 15th, causing the ball to go over the green. Another was his choice to use a driver into the wispy grass wide of a tight fairway on the 18th hole.

The criticism specifically mentioned Tiger Woods' former coach, Hank Haney, who labeled Diamond's decisions as "wrong club, wrong shot." TV commentator Smylie Kaufman also weighed in on the situation. Despite the criticism, McIlroy defended Diamond, emphasizing that his caddie's quiet demeanor doesn't diminish his importance or involvement in their decision-making process.

Acknowledging that Diamond's decisions contributed to bogeys that cost him the lead at the U.S. Open, McIlroy dismissed Haney's suggestion that a more experienced caddie would have made different choices. McIlroy highlighted Diamond's integral role in his successful career, as half of his 26 PGA Tour wins came with his childhood friend by his side.

McIlroy expressed frustration with his critics, questioning their absence when he and Diamond have achieved victories together. He mentioned his triumphs at events like Dubai, Quail Hollow, and the two FedEx Cups, as well as the two Ryder Cups they have won together. The four-time major champion found it disheartening that his critics never seem to acknowledge Diamond's positive contributions.

Kaufman, on the other hand, defended his commentary on McIlroy's performance while appearing on Golf's Subpar podcast. He stated that he believed Diamond should have intervened on the 15th hole and criticized the choice of club. However, Kaufman clarified that his remarks were not a personal attack on Diamond and respected both McIlroy and his caddie's abilities.

In their first public comments since McIlroy's U.S. Open collapse, the golfer stood firmly in Diamond's corner. McIlroy also addressed the missed short putts on the 16th and 18th holes, which were largely blamed for his defeat.

McIlroy's focus now turns to the Scottish Open, where he has the opportunity to defend his title. Despite the setback at the U.S. Open, McIlroy remains determined to prove his worth on the golf course and showcase the strength of his partnership with Diamond.

As McIlroy prepares to tee up at the Renaissance Club, the golfing world eagerly awaits his performance, hoping to witness the resilience and skill he was once renowned for.