Rory McIlroy’s caddie staged X-rated intervention at Royal Birkdale weeks before parting ways

Rory McIlroy had his very own Edgar Davids moment at this year’s Open venue.

The Northern Irishman returns to Royal Birkdale to try and win his second Claret Jug, nine years after a rollercoaster experience on the Southport links.

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Back in 2017, McIlroy was only three years into a major drought that would ultimately last more than a decade.

He had slipped to No.4 in the Official World Golf Rankings, failing to win any event in the 2017 season.

And having arrived at Royal Birkdale off the back of a missed cut at the US Open, his Open Championship got off to the worst possible start.

McIlroy went four-over through his first five holes and appeared to shoot himself out of contention within the first 90 minutes of the tournament.

McIlroy’s Davids moment

Remember Goals on Sunday? The football panel show with Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara?

The most memorable moment from that programme undoubtedly came from Netherlands international Davids.

Sat alongside Ian Wright, the iconic Dutchman was reminiscing about his bizarre stint with a Sunday League team in Brixton.

Describing his bemusement at being sat on the bench, he said: “I thought, what am I doing here? I’m f***ing Edgar Davids!”

McIlroy had that exact epiphany at Royal Birkdale – and it was delivered by his former caddie J.P. Fitzgerald.

As they walked to the sixth tee, Fitzgerald told his player: “You’re Rory McIlroy. What the f*** are you doing?”

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A fan could also be heard shouting, ‘Wake up Rory!’

Turning point

The tough love worked as a wake-up call for McIlroy and ultimately salvaged his week.

With a huge wave of local support, the now-six-time major winner rallied to play the next 13 holes in three-under, shooting a very respectable 71.

He would ultimately finish the week in a tie for fourth as Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug.

Speaking after round one, McIlroy admitted Fitzgerald’s blunt message did the trick.

He said: “At that point I mumbled and said: ‘Whatever.’ But it did, it helped. It definitely helped.

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“It kept me positive. He just sort of reminded me who I was and what I was capable of. And gave me a few positive thoughts.”

What happened to J.P. Fitzgerald?

McIlroy’s glittering nine-year partnership with Fitzgerald actually came to an end nine weeks later.

The golfer was keen to stress that while it was technically a sacking, he would rather it be considered an amicable parting of ways.

He explained at the time: “I was getting very hard on him on the golf course and I don’t want to treat somebody, anybody, like that…

“I got to the point where if I didn’t play a good shot or if I made a wrong decision, I was getting more frustrated at him than I was at myself.

“I would much rather be angry at myself… than being angry at him, and that was really why.”

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McIlroy replaced him with childhood friend Harry Diamond – and the pair have never looked back.

After years of criticism, Diamond helped McIlroy to two consecutive Green Jackets as he completed the career grand slam.