Rory McIlroy is to retain Harry Diamond as his caddie in 2018.
Diamond has caddied for McIlroy in seven events since the former world number one’s split from JP Fitzgerald.
A source close to Diamond confirmed to BBC Northern Ireland a report in the Guardian which said that the duo’s partnership would continue into 2018.
After appointing Diamond on an initial short-term basis in August, McIlroy said that he had “inundated” with approaches from potential caddies.
McIlroy and Diamond, who was a top amateur player in Ireland, have been friends since childhood.
The four-time major winner is in the middle of a three-month break from golf as he attempts to recover from a rib injury which forced him to miss several events this year.
The 28-year-old will return to action at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January which will begin a busy period of competitive appearances prior to the Masters in April.
McIlroy will compete in the Dubai Desert Classic a week later and he also committed to playing in five events in the US prior to the Masters.
That could be increased to seven pre-Masters tournaments in North America if he opts to tee up at the WGC Mexico Championship and the WGC Match Play.
McIlroy will begin a run of three tournaments in as many weeks in the US when he competes at the ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am from 8-11 February.
After his appearances at the Genesis Open and Honda Classic, McIlroy has also committed to the Valspar Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational in successive weeks in March.
