Harry a diamond for Rory

Rory McIlroy will have a “real gem” on his bag in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Best pal Harry Diamond has stepped in to tote the Holywood hotshot’s clubs as regular bagman Gordon Faulkner waits to become a father for the first time.

McIlroy quipped: “It just means I have to work a bit harder and do my own yardages this week.

“Gordon wanted to come out here but you have to be home for the birth of your child. I think it’s due Sunday of this week. So it should be nice to get a phone call on Sunday and see what he has.

“My friend, Harry Diamond came over for the week. I just thought it’s a pretty fun week for me. It would be nice to bring a friend over and enjoy it.

“He grew up with me and he’s played on Irish boys and youths teams and stuff and plays off plus one, so he’s a pretty good player himself.”

Diamond, 23, plays out of the same club as McIlroy and caddied for him in the Irish and Scottish Opens in 2005.

And they’ll be hoping for better luck together this time after missing the cut in both events three years ago.

McIlroy added: “He wasn’t in Carnoustie for the Open last year. But he came to Portugal and watched me in the Portuguese Masters.

“As I said, he’s a pretty good player, so he knows what to do on the bag. Hopefully he won’t have much of a problem.”