Hank Haney has aimed a fresh dig at Rory McIlroy following their public spat over the Northern Irishman’s caddie Harry Diamond, who was blamed in part for his US Open collapse

Rory McIlroy wasn’t impressed by criticism from Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney (Image: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods’ former coach Hank Haney made a backhanded compliment to Rory McIlroy in reference to their disagreement over caddie Harry Diamond.

Haney, aged 69, was among those who called out Diamond’s club choice as McIlroy saw his chance of winning the US Open going up in smoke in June. The Northern Irishman bogeyed three of the last four holes to allow Bryson DeChambeau to clinch victory.

Now, five months on, Haney, who instructed Woods for nearly six years, has stirred the pot once more on X with a cheeky comment about a video discussing McIlroy’s evolving swing since his latest major near-miss. “On the right track but what do I know,” he quipped on the post.

The sarcastic remark appears to be a dig at McIlroy for dismissing Haney’s authority to critique. Speaking out in defence of Diamond ahead of The Open in July, he defiantly said: “Hank Haney has never been in that position.

“Smylie [Kaufman] has been in that position once, and I love Smylie, and he was out there with us on 18. 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 criticize when things don’t go my way, they never say anything good when things do go my way.”

Haney, who worked with Woods from 2004 to 2010, has aimed a fresh dig at McIlroy (Image: Getty Images)

Haney had suggested that a caddie with more experience than Diamond, who’s worked with close friend McIlroy since 2017, might have prevented some of his errors. But he has since backtracked somewhat on his comments.

Writing on social media in August, Haney conceded he doesn’t think McIlroy should change his caddie. And he admitted that it was a high-pressure situation which could’ve caused anyone to crumble.

“No, I think his caddie is great for him,” Haney posted. “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.”