RORY MCILROY HAS confirmed his split from long-time caddie JP Fitzgerald this evening.
Speculation gathered pace this week that McIlroy had brought an end to his nine-year relationship with Fitzgerald, and the world number four confirmed the news at a press conference on the eve of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
“Sometimes to preserve a personal relationship, you have to sacrifice a professional one,” said McIlroy, who will have Harry Diamond – the best man at his wedding – on his bag this week.
“I was treating him hard on the golf course. I don’t want to treat anyone like that. Sometimes this game drives you to that.”
The 28-year-old is now hoping he can look ahead to future success with a new approach as he seeks to add to his quartet of Major triumphs.
“I’m coming to Firestone, I have four good rounds to get to know someone else on my bag,” he said.
I thank JP for everything. It wasn’t an easy decision. I felt it was a change I needed to make.
“I got to the point where if I didn’t play a good shot or made a bad decision, I’d get frustrated at him. I’d much rather be angry at myself than be angry at him.
“There’s nothing to say JP might not work for me again in the future. I hate the term fired or axed. I just changed my path a little bit. Maybe in the future that path will come back where it was.
“I just need to change my path a little bit and JP understood that.”
The initial reports came as a surprise given McIlroy’s success alongside Fitzgerald, who carried his bag during his four Major victories and rise to world number one.
However, McIlroy’s last victory in golf’s big four came at the 2014 US PGA Championship and he has struggled with form and fitness this season.
At last month’s Open, Fitzgerald spurred McIlroy into action after a dreadful start to the tournament at Royal Birkdale by asking him: “You’re Rory McIlroy, what the f*** are you doing?”
McIlroy finished in a tie for fourth in Southport.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
One would be forgiven for thinking it was an image of Des Kelly.
Not a Bohs fan but that’s a beautiful jersey. Well done to all involved.
Proud to say I was at that Bob Marley gig in Dalymount….. God am I really that old?
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Yes. Yes you are.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: me too
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Me too! I was only 4 and my folks brought me because they could get a baby sitter, my Ma always says it was a great gig, my Da always says it was so good he doesn’t remember it ;)
Plenty of Wailers in thst kip all year.
@Wayne Scales: nob
@Brian Dunne: Knob
@Criostóir McCormack: nob
@Criostóir McCormack: Door?
Most charismatic man I’ve ever seen. He should be remembered often.
I’m not a football fan but that’s a seriously cool Jersey, I’d happily wear one.
Yep everyone was at that gig!
@Jay Kearney: I wasn’t, had a ticket though.
Bob marley is of irish dna.. Mind you a good third of the carribbea6 do, 37 percent of african americans have, nice to know how well we look after them.
A generation of kids will grow up thinking this is Des Kelly. Legend.
I was at this concert and still have the original ticket stub. I put it on Done Deal for sale and got a wrap on the buckles from my daughter. I had to withdraw it and now its in a picture frame in my daughters house. Glad I withdrew it now.
I’m buying one yes looks lush not even from Dublin but be whopper wit nice pair blue jeans bob u will live for ever. ya Mon…