English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has implored Rory McIlroy to finally part ways with his long-time caddie Harry Diamond after the golfer collapsed during the final stages of the 2024 US Open.
McIlroy has been with Diamond since 2017.
Despite winning multiple titles on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, along with Ryder Cup successes, the two are yet to clip a major championship together.
McIlroy doesn’t like to address the topic too frequently.
The last time he did, he robustly defended Diamond and described him as an ‘easy target’.
But no doubt more questions will be asked of Diamond after McIlroy’s latest major disappointment at Pinehurst No.2 over the weekend.
Pepperell claimed on The Chipping Forecast that with a ‘stronger caddie’ then McIlroy’s fate would’ve been far different.
“Sometimes, to win a golf tournament, you need to limp over the line, and I’m adamant that it is your caddie on occasions like that can really be the difference that can pull you over that finishing line,” he told the podcast.
“I just think, observing Rory today, that was the big thing that was lacking.
“My immediate takeaway is that with a stronger caddie, he would not have made the bogey he made on the 15th.”
Pepperell was referencing the fact that McIlroy hit a 7-iron on the par-three that hit the green but went long.
Sir Nick Faldo also tore into McIlroy at the time.
Pepperell said: “It was a poor choice of club, and he hit in the one place he shouldn’t have hit it, and then, and from that point onwards, I think that’s the bogey that changed the momentum and his mindset more than anything.
“He looked so comfortable and in control and he just needed to hit it to the front part of that green on 15. Easier said than done. And I really think he would have walked away with that trophy.”
Pepperell claimed had he had someone like Tiger Woods’ former bagman, Steve Williams, alongside him then the outcome could’ve been different.
“I just think Rory needs somebody who’s capable, like JP (Fitzgerald, his first caddie) probably used to be able to do and help him get across that line,” he added.
“That was an inexplicable club decision on 15 and possibly the last too.”
McIlroy looked absolutely distraught in the scorer’s hut as he waited to see how Bryson DeChambeau would respond.
Then he made a swift exit, opting not to stay and congratulate the LIV Golf pro.
Pepperell continued: “I wouldn’t have said this If he had won but I think he needs a new caddie. I hate saying that about Harry because I’m sure he’s a lovely guy. And I’m sure he’s a good caddie.
“But today, I felt Rory needed somebody that could pull him through the finish line. Rory should never have lost that golf tournament today.
“And I’m adamant about that. I’m sure if he had a super experienced, strong caddie, he would have just pulled him through.
“And I think that that’s the thing that’s holding him back in majors. I could be wrong, but that’s what I think and a bogey on 15 was just emblematic.
“He was in complete control. Watching on the television, Bryson looked nervous, he looked tense. Rory looked supremely confident and he picked the wrong club on 15.
“He hit a good shot, but it went long in the one place he couldn’t hit, made a bogey.
“I know what that feels like as a player when you’re in control on a Sunday.
“You want to get to the 18th green without anything getting in your way that can scupper your mindset because you’re in this lovely little rhythm.
“And obviously in a US Open, it’s so easy to get jolted out of that rhythm because there’s disaster lurking around any corner.
“But that’s where a great caddie would have just made Rory hit an eight iron to 45 feet front left and just two putt and he made a bogey at the wrong time.
“To my mind watching it, it just set him up for what happened.”
