Former PGA Tour golfer Nick O'Hern has urged Rory McIlroy to replace his best friend and caddie Harry Diamond with Billy Foster to help end his 11-year major championship drought.
O'Hern believes McIlroy should seize the opportunity to hire Foster, who recently parted ways with Matt Fitzpatrick.
The Australian golfer suggests that an experienced caddie like Foster could make the difference for McIlroy at the Masters next month.
McIlroy is aiming to secure his first victory at Augusta, with the tournament set to begin in just over two weeks.
Despite the 35-year-old's recent good form, O'Hern remains sceptical about his chances without a change in his team.
McIlroy last won a major at the PGA Championship in 2014, the same year he claimed The Open.
Prior to that, he won the PGA Championship in 2012 and the US Open in 2011.
The Masters has consistently eluded him, with his closest attempt being a second-place finish in 2022.
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The 35-year-old Northern Irishman has already secured victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship this season.
These wins have established him as one of the favourites heading into the year's first major tournament at Augusta National.
Despite this recent upturn in form, O'Hern believes a change is needed for McIlroy to end his major drought.
Speaking on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast, O'Hern highlighted the significance of Foster's availability: "Something that happened last week, Billy Foster split with Matt Fitzpatrick. And, that's a big open door and I'm sure there's a lot of big players vying to get Billy on their bag."
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O'Hern acknowledged Diamond's relationship with McIlroy but emphasised the need for experience in crucial moments.
"Harry, who caddies for Rory and, as we know, is one of his best mates and he does a very good job. However, in those crucial clutch moments, that's when you need someone who's got the experience, who's got the answer for the game, the feel that can sense it," he said.
"If we go back to, for example, the US Open last year, when he lost to Bryson... What it was all about was a short miss putt on the 16 and a short miss putt on the 18," O'Hern explained.
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He identified a crucial moment that wasn't widely discussed: "What they didn't cover, and for me, the reason those things happened, was putt selection on 15 on the par-3.
"Billy Foster is the kind of guy who would've said, 'Rory, we're not doing this. We're gonna do this right here'."
Foster has an impressive pedigree in the golfing world, having played a key role in Matt Fitzpatrick's 2022 US Open victory.
He helped Fitzpatrick reach a world number six ranking before their recent split.
The experienced caddie has worked with some of golf's biggest names throughout his career.
His resume includes stints with the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood.
Find Out More...
O'Hern believes McIlroy should seize the opportunity to hire Foster, who recently parted ways with Matt Fitzpatrick.
The Australian golfer suggests that an experienced caddie like Foster could make the difference for McIlroy at the Masters next month.
McIlroy is aiming to secure his first victory at Augusta, with the tournament set to begin in just over two weeks.
Despite the 35-year-old's recent good form, O'Hern remains sceptical about his chances without a change in his team.
McIlroy last won a major at the PGA Championship in 2014, the same year he claimed The Open.
Prior to that, he won the PGA Championship in 2012 and the US Open in 2011.
The Masters has consistently eluded him, with his closest attempt being a second-place finish in 2022.
JUST IN: Thomas Tuchel defends England star and reveals four positives from Latvia win at Wembley
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman has already secured victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship this season.
These wins have established him as one of the favourites heading into the year's first major tournament at Augusta National.
Despite this recent upturn in form, O'Hern believes a change is needed for McIlroy to end his major drought.
Speaking on the Talk Birdie To Me podcast, O'Hern highlighted the significance of Foster's availability: "Something that happened last week, Billy Foster split with Matt Fitzpatrick. And, that's a big open door and I'm sure there's a lot of big players vying to get Billy on their bag."
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu reveals secret to resurgent form after beating Amanda Anisimova at Miami Open
O'Hern acknowledged Diamond's relationship with McIlroy but emphasised the need for experience in crucial moments.
"Harry, who caddies for Rory and, as we know, is one of his best mates and he does a very good job. However, in those crucial clutch moments, that's when you need someone who's got the experience, who's got the answer for the game, the feel that can sense it," he said.
"If we go back to, for example, the US Open last year, when he lost to Bryson... What it was all about was a short miss putt on the 16 and a short miss putt on the 18," O'Hern explained.
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He identified a crucial moment that wasn't widely discussed: "What they didn't cover, and for me, the reason those things happened, was putt selection on 15 on the par-3.
"Billy Foster is the kind of guy who would've said, 'Rory, we're not doing this. We're gonna do this right here'."
Foster has an impressive pedigree in the golfing world, having played a key role in Matt Fitzpatrick's 2022 US Open victory.
He helped Fitzpatrick reach a world number six ranking before their recent split.
The experienced caddie has worked with some of golf's biggest names throughout his career.
His resume includes stints with the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood.
Find Out More...