Rory McIlroy has defended his caddie JP Fitzgerald after the Northern Irishman strained his wrist tendon at the US PGA Championship in Atlanta.

Fitzgerald has come in for criticism after McIlroy damaged his wrist when he opted for a risky shot that resulted in him hitting a tree root on Thursday.

Pundits have suggested that Fitzgerald should have given the 22-year-old better guidance and advised him not to play the shot as it could have resulted in a career-threatening injury.

"He's my caddie, not my father," said McIlroy.

"Hindsight is a great thing, but looking back it was a mistake in judgement. I thought I would be able to get away with it.

"I feel as if I can make birdies out there. If I don't think I could contend I probably wouldn't be playing. And if it wasn't a major I probably would have stopped yesterday."

McIlroy played with his wrist bandaged on Friday and ended the day three-over par at the halfway point.