Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Diamond’s not forever so Mcilroy must make a bold decision soon..
RORY Mcilroy needs to be bold when he appoints a replacement for JP Fitzgerald.
Selecting the right caddie to follow in the footsteps of someone who was by his side for almost a decade is crucial if he is to return to the top of the sport.
Mcilroy will know who he wants on a permanent basis, but it’s important he takes time to consider all options. Long-time friend Harry Diamond will be on his bag for the Bridgestone Invitational and US PGA and it is a decent short term fix. Yes, Harry will be several postcodes out of his comfort zone, but Rory knows the next two courses and that will lend itself to a smooth transition.
More importantly, the pairing might make golf fun again for Mcilroy. I had my best friend as caddie for two years and it was a really positive time. He knew my game, my personality and body language. It was a good fit.
Rory and JP certainly had a remarkable run together. Nine years in the crazy world of golf is a lifetime and Fitzgerald had a huge impact.
Let’s not forget, JP took the bag in 2008 at a time when Rory was ranked 200th in the world and his fledgling career was in a state of flux.
The young Ulsterman was primed for greatness, but struggling
JP Fitzgerald was a massive factor in Rory becoming Rory
in his first full season on the European Tour.
JP was a massive factor in allowing Rory to be Rory.
He helped implement a new strategy of playing on instinct.
He allowed him to cut loose and play his own game. It worked.
From struggling to keep his card, Rory finished the season in the world’s top-50. A maiden win in Dubai in early-2009 followed soon after and the rest is history. I remember teeing it up in a practice round with Mcilroy that week and it was clear I was playing with a future Major champion.
Why has the axe fallen now? Well, three years have passed since Rory won the last of his four majors and many believe that’s too long for a player of his quality.
His recent form has also been patchy and when a player is looking for solutions, it is either the caddie or the coach who gets the bullet. Michael Bannon has coached Rory since he was a toddler so he was always safe. In the end, it was JP who had to go.
Fitzgerald had his detractors, but his input in helping Mcilroy become one of golf’s top players cannot be underestimated. On the plus side, it will be exciting for Rory to have a fresh voice in his ear. Challenges lie ahead and a change might be the catalyst he needs for the next stage of his career.