Rory McIlroy has opened up on his relationship with Harry Diamond, the childhood friend who became his caddie nine years ago and has steered him to two Masters victories

DUBAI — Rory McIlroy says he will "never get angry" at his caddie and best pal, Harry Diamond, on the course because their friendship is too important.

McIlroy and Diamond grew up together at Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland, and they have worked together since 2017. In that time, McIlroy has won two Green Jackets at The Masters and been a part of three victorious and historic Ryder Cup teams.

The six-time major champion said appointing Diamond after parting ways with J.P. Fitzgerald was a pivotal moment that helped him gain better control of his emotions on the golf course.

It is not uncommon to see tour pros give their caddies both barrels under the heat of competition, but McIlroy says he will not allow the stresses of tournament golf to "get in the way" of their friendship.

"When we're younger, or even [now], I still have my moments where I'm maybe not proud of some of the things that I do on the golf course in anger or if I've hit a bad shot," McIlroy said.

"But I would say since having Harry on the bag, I'll never get angry at him because he's my best friend and he's only doing his best out there and whatever, and it's just not worth it. It's not worth it to get angry because I would never want anything to get in the way of our friendship to start with.

"But I think that's what probably keeps me the most calm on the golf course is, like, it's just not worth it.

"And I think nearly 20 years into a career, you learn to take the rough with the smooth and know that there's going to be highs and lows, and as long as you expect those things to happen, then you can deal with them the right way."

McIlroy made the comments after being asked about the disqualification of Frank Kennedy following the fourth round of DP World Tour Q School on Monday. Kennedy was in contention to earn a card, but he was booted ahead of the final two rounds due to "serious misconduct."

DP World Tour officials issued the punishment after the English amateur swung his putter in frustration and damaged the 11th green at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain. Kennedy insisted it was an accident, and he was granted a review by the tour, but the DQ was upheld on Tuesday morning.

McIlroy was sympathetic to the 21-year-old, who has paid a steep price for the incident, but he welcomed the DP World Tour coming down hard on instances of poor player behavior.

"I think very unfortunate," McIlroy said. "I was talking to Harry about it out on the course. It seems harsh, but at the same time, I think it's good that golf and the authorities are cracking down on things like this. It's an unbelievably unfortunate incident."