Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods (Image: Getty Images)

Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' former coach, has taken a subtle swipe at Rory McIlroy amid their ongoing spat over caddie Harry Diamond's influence.

The 69-year-old golf guru was one of the voices who questioned Diamond's part in McIlroy's US Open disappointment in June, where a dubious club choice on the final round's 15th hole was seen as pivotal.

McIlroy's subsequent bogeys on three of the last four holes opened the door for Bryson DeChambeau to snatch a dramatic one-shot victory.

Despite McIlroy shrugging off claims that his caddie was culpable, Haney has thrown fresh fuel on the fire nearly five months later. He took to social media to comment on a clip discussing McIlroy's evolving swing technique, slyly remarking: "On the right track but what do I know."

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This tongue-in-cheek sign-off seems to be a direct jab at McIlroy, who had previously dismissed Haney's critique of Diamond before The Open in July.

McIlroy had pointedly noted that Haney lacked the experience to make such judgments, in contrast to NBC Sports analyst Smylie Kaufman, who had also criticized the caddie's decisions.

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"Hank Haney has never been in that position," declared McIlroy at Royal Troon. "Smylie has been in that position once, and I love Smylie, and he was out there with us on 18."

Hank Haney and Tiger Woods (Image: Getty Images)

McIlroy has come to the defence of his caddie Diamond, saying: "But just because Harry is not as vocal or loud with his words as other caddies, it doesn't mean that he doesn't say anything and that he doesn't do anything.

"I just wish that, you know, these guys that criticise when things don't go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way."

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Golf coach Haney had previously suggested that a more seasoned caddie than Diamond, who has been a close friend and colleague of McIlroy since 2017, might have prevented some of McIlroy's errors. However, Haney has since softened his stance.

In a response to a fan in August, Haney clarified his views on Diamond, stating on X: "No, I think his caddie is great for him," and admitting, "I never said he wasn't great for Rory, I said they made a mistake on #15 at the US Open. I actually am actually a big fan of friend caddies, anyone can make a mistake."

Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie

Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie

Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie

Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie

Tiger Woods' former coach takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after pointing finger at caddie