Rory McIlroy was supported by a whole host of people during his remarkable weekend at Augusta National, but one person was more influential than anyone else to his Masters victory. A golfer’s relationship with his caddie is a close one, yet McIlroy had more reasons than most to thank him after he sunk the winning putt to see off Justin Rose.

Although Harry Diamond has been by McIlroy’s side on the golf course since being hired in 2017, the pair go much further back. The two met at Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland, where they were both prodigiously talented children with bright futures ahead of them.

While not at the level of McIlroy, who became just the sixth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam and the first European, Diamond is a quality player himself. Playing as an amateur, he won the 2012 West of Ireland tournament to qualify for the Irish Open.

Ultimately, he decided to take a step back from playing to support his close friend pursue his dreams on the golf course. And, after the momentous events in Georgia over the weekend, it has been an astute – and profitable – decision.