Rory McIlroy - 4 Time Major Winner

Even just getting the Masters would make him a great. Very few golfers have won all 4 majors.

Edit: Just seeing Dav010 already made this point.

People probably don't agree with me here - but his putting is still very hit and miss to win the masters (IMO) - and a new factor I see in him now is , he has gone a bit wild off the tee (not wild as we know it ) - but he has a few drives at key moments that go way off line, this is not s problem to win millions of money - but it can be a problem in majors at key moments.

Just a feel - his game off tee has changed a bit - still amazing , but he used to be more accurate imo.

Maybe.. but just before he chased distance he was unreal ...but after he changed and equipment..and look he is older now.

He throws a bad shot in there that is bad news in the mix at squeaky bum.time.

Or as I said a very bad putt ..almost 3 inches left of hole ..

I'd love to see him win master ..but can he if above two issues come into play..

Slamming ball miles down a course with little or no rough is a different game they do week in week out..

I wonder if the caddy argument is over rated, not to take anything away from what you are saying. Different golfers I’m sure put different stock on what they are advised to do. Ultimately it’s the golfer who will make the decision on what club they use. There is also the consideration on what merit must be given to having a close friend travelling with you on what must be a lonely excursion so I wouldn’t think a change of caddy would make a huge difference. It’s the six inches between his ears that counts, he has the talent, whether he takes out the big dog or a fairway wood is on him.

He won the West, I’m not sure if he is a brilliant golfer. I suspect it depends on the golfer, no doubt some rely on their caddy for advice, others just want them to carry their bag. Ultimately the golfer has to decide which is more important. What I would say that letting your friend go if it isn’t working might be more challenging. But there is a reason why golfers names are are trophys and not caddies.

With respect, you’ve absolutely no idea what they discuss. They’re not miked up so we only hear a very occasional exchange.

This is such a lazy narrative on McIlroy, people talking rubbish that can never be proved either way about his caddie.

I don’t get why Harry Diamond isn’t considered a “proper caddy”. Do you think he doesn’t give him correct yardages or something?

Diamond is obviously someone McIlroy is happy to be around, he’s a top level amateur golfer himself and I’ve no reason to think he doesn’t carry out all the caddying basics (I presume if he was giving Rory wrong yardages or a dirty club or something that Rory wouldn’t employ him).

So why isn’t he a proper caddy? Is there a degree or some other qualification he doesn’t have?

A lazy narrative? Where did I say anything about yardage or dirty clubs?

I'm only talking about challenging him on club selection. Simply asking him if he thinks he should go with a driver off the tee or a three wood off the deck.

I seen Harry Diamond winning the West of Ireland and I seen Rory winning it twice. One of my regular casual playing partners is a former top amateur, he won the West and the South and lots more, who could have made it as a pro but tried q-school once, went boozing and decided he'd go the business route instead and he's been very successful. Some people suggest Harry could have made it as a pro, and maybe he could have, but he was in his mid to late twenties when he became a top amateur and he was inconsistent.

One of my other regular partners is a three handicapper who has excelled in the world of golf as a course developer for one of the biggest design companies.

He caddied for the former top amateur. My friend and schoolmate has often discussed and regaled their relationship both in front of him and when he's not with us. He's told us stories of times where he felt he might get a slap in the face if he didn't take the advice of his caddy. He said the caddy was nearly always right and credits him with crucial calls that won him the South.

They knew each other as kids, three years in age between them but they were never close friends.

I'm not criticising the decision because they are close friends, I'm unhappy about it because he doesn't seem strong enough to have a go at him over club selection.

Rory takes driver off the tee when there's no need for it, when there's danger if he does. He goes for greens on par fives when there's water and hazards in play and you can't control how the ball will bounce. He needs someone strong enough to challenge those decisions.

Rory might ignore it but when it costs him a few times and maybe a tournament he'll start taking heed of that advice but it's never given. I'm sure, no I'm confident, that Harry knows this stuff but he's too nice to have a go at Rory.

I've followed them at tournaments, have you?

If not then it's you with the 'lazy narrative'.

He doesn't have to dictate, he just has to ask the question when there's risk and no need.

If he keeps asking the questions there'll eventually start to be conversations about these things. When it comes to majors those conversations become very important.

Also, just having the conversation where the caddy agrees gives the player just a little more confidence and he resets before hitting the shot and probably hits a better shot.

As mentioned above it's important that the caddie is there for the mental side of things.

In other news...

MOD SNIP Take sporting comparisons elsewhere please

MOD SNIP Take sporting comparisons elsewhere please