HOT🔴 Rory McIlroy pays tribute to caddie Harry Diamond as he shares $2 million after completing the Grand Slam at The Masters 2025👇
In a moment that will echo through golfing history, Rory McIlroy stood on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National on April 14, 2025, basking in the glory of his first Masters victory and the completion of his career Grand Slam. The Northern Irish superstar, long heralded as one of golf’s brightest talents, finally donned the coveted green jacket after a nail-biting playoff, cementing his place among the sport’s immortals. But as the cheers rang out and the $4.2 million prize purse was awarded, it was McIlroy’s heartfelt tribute to his caddie and lifelong friend, Harry Diamond, that stole the spotlight. In a stunning gesture, McIlroy revealed he would share $2 million of his earnings with Diamond, crediting him as the “heart and soul” of their decade-long journey to this pinnacle. This is the story of a friendship forged in childhood, a partnership tested under pressure, and a triumph that belongs to both men.
McIlroy’s road to the 2025 Masters was anything but smooth. The 35-year-old had faced years of near-misses at Augusta, with five top-10 finishes but no green jacket to show for it. The weight of expectation grew heavier with each passing year, compounded by personal challenges, including a highly publicized divorce filing from his wife, Erica Stoll, in 2024 that was later withdrawn. Through it all, Diamond, a quiet, unassuming figure from Holywood, Northern Ireland, stood by his side. The two met as kids at Holywood Golf Club, where a 7-year-old McIlroy, an only child, looked up to Diamond, five years his senior, as a big brother. They played junior golf together, with Diamond caddying for McIlroy at the 2005 Irish Open when the prodigy was just 16. That bond, rooted in trust and shared dreams, would carry them to the sport’s grandest stage.
When McIlroy parted ways with longtime caddie JP Fitzgerald in 2017, he turned to Diamond, then a successful amateur golfer and businessman with no professional caddying experience. Critics scoffed, calling it a risky move for a player chasing major glory. Yet McIlroy saw something others didn’t: a friend who knew his game—and his heart—better than anyone. “Harry’s not just my caddie; he’s family,” McIlroy said in a post-Masters press conference, his voice thick with emotion. “He’s been there through every high and low, and this win is as much his as it is mine.” Diamond’s steady presence proved invaluable over the years, guiding McIlroy to victories at the 2019 and 2025 Players Championships, three FedEx Cups, and three Race to Dubai titles. But the Masters, the final piece of McIlroy’s Grand Slam puzzle, remained elusive—until now.
The 2025 Masters was a battle for the ages. McIlroy entered the final round trailing by two strokes, facing a stacked leaderboard that included Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Bryson DeChambeau. Diamond’s calming influence shone through on Sunday, particularly at the treacherous 12th hole, Augusta’s infamous “Golden Bell.” With McIlroy wavering over club selection, Diamond insisted on a 9-iron over an 8-iron, a call that led to a safe par and kept McIlroy in contention. “He just said, ‘Trust me, mate, it’s the 9,’” McIlroy recalled, grinning. “That’s why he’s the best.” As the round progressed, McIlroy surged, carding a flawless 66 to force a playoff. In the sudden-death showdown, Diamond’s words before the first playoff hole—“We’ll take this any Monday morning”—eased McIlroy’s nerves, leading to a clutch birdie that sealed the victory.
The $4.2 million prize was the largest in Masters history, but McIlroy’s decision to share nearly half with Diamond sent shockwaves through the golfing world. While caddies typically earn 10% of a winner’s purse—around $420,000 in this case—McIlroy’s $2 million gift was unprecedented. Sources close to the team say the gesture reflects McIlroy’s gratitude for Diamond’s loyalty, especially during tough moments like the 2024 US Open, where critics blamed Diamond for club-selection errors. McIlroy fiercely defended him, calling detractors “clueless” and praising Diamond’s instincts. “Harry doesn’t just carry my bag; he carries my belief,” McIlroy said at Augusta. “He’s earned every penny and more.”
Diamond, ever the low-key figure, shied away from the spotlight. The Belfast native, who owns bars and runs a family real estate business, has no social media presence and rarely speaks to the press. Yet his impact is undeniable. A former West of Ireland Championship winner with a +2.5 handicap, Diamond brings a golfer’s mind to his caddying, offering insights that resonate with McIlroy’s aggressive style. Off the course, he’s a devoted husband to Claire and father of two, occasionally stepping away from caddying duties for family milestones, like the births of his children in 2019 and 2022. McIlroy, who was best man at Diamond’s wedding, has always prioritized their friendship over professional demands, a rarity in the high-stakes world of elite golf.
The golfing community erupted in praise for McIlroy’s generosity. Tiger Woods, whose 2019 Masters win inspired McIlroy, posted on X: “Rory and Harry are what this game’s about—loyalty, grit, and heart. Congrats on No. 5, boys.” Fans echoed the sentiment, with one X post calling the $2 million share “the classiest move in sports history.” Others noted the poetic symmetry of two Holywood kids conquering Augusta together, 20 years after sneaking onto their local course to practice. For McIlroy, the victory was personal as well as professional. Flanked by Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, on the 18th green, he dedicated the win to his family and Diamond, saying, “This is for all of us who’ve been on this ride.”
As McIlroy’s fifth major and first Masters title sinks in, the spotlight remains on his partnership with Diamond. The $2 million gesture is more than a paycheck; it’s a testament to a friendship that has weathered scrutiny, heartbreak, and triumph. With the Grand Slam complete, McIlroy hinted at future goals, including a sixth major and a return to Augusta in 2026. “As long as Harry’s got my bag, I’m ready for anything,” he said, flashing a smile. For now, the golf world celebrates not just a champion, but a duo whose bond has redefined what it means to win. What’s next for Rory and Harry? One thing’s certain: they’ll face it together.
