Shane Lowry's 'blood boils' as he defends Rory McIlroy's caddie over 2024 US Open fiasco - "Works harder than any other caddie"

Rory McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, received immense criticism after the 2024 US Open fiasco. However, Shane Lowry has defended Diamond in a recent interview ahead of the 2024 Open Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club.

Irish golfer, Shane Lowry, is a close friend of Rory McIlroy and believes Diamond is the best person on the bag for Mcllroy, and the unnecessary criticism makes his blood boil.

"It really makes my blood boil. [He's] the best person in the world to caddie for Rory McIlroy, and I see it week in and week out. He works harder than any of the other caddies out here," Lowry told BBC.

Harry Diamond and Rory Mcllroy have grown up together and have played plenty of golf together. Diamond had won the 2012 West of Ireland Championship. In 2017, when McIlroy split with his long-term caddie JP Fitzgerald, Diamond joined him as his caddie.

Since then, the duo have won plenty of PGA Tour events, but have fallen short of winning a Major Championship. His recent heartbreaking miss at the Pinehurst No.2 led to criticism, including whether Mcllroy has the right man on the bag.

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Rory McIlroy's debacle at the 2024 US Open

Rory McIlroy was looking all set to win the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2 last month. His cold putter, especially on the 16th and 18th hole, handed the prestigious trophy to Bryson DeChambeau, who made no mistake and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. This win was Bryson DeChambeau's second US Open and Major Championship victory.

Rory McIlroy left frustrated after missing the putt on the final hole at the U.S. Open - Final Round. Image via Getty

Four-time Major Championship winner, Mcllroy, had a lead of two strokes going into the back nine. But unfortunately, he missed two straightforward putts from inside three feet, including a 26-inch for par on the final hole, dashing his hopes of winning the fifth Major.

The 35-year-old left the golf course immediately after DeChambeau registered a par and won the event by one stroke. He did not attend the post-round press conference or have any media interaction until the 2024 Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club.

However, Mcllroy is looking to bounce back from this debacle as he is in familiar conditions at the Royal Troon in Scotland for the 2024 Open Championship. The final Major Championship of the year is a perfect opportunity for the Northern Irishman to end his decade-long Major drought as he looks to be in sync with his game with a T4 finish at the recent Scottish Open.