Chubby on Rory's u-turn: "You would think he is paving the way for it not to be too bad for him if he signs with LIV"
Rory McIlroy’s former agent, Chubby Chandler, believes the world number two’s u-turn on the PGA TOUR’s merger deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund could be the first step in a shock move to LIV Golf.
Clarke, the Ryder Cup cash and the green-paved road to the Champions Tour
The past few seasons have been lean ones for Darren Clarke on the golf course but landing the 2016 European Ryder Cup captaincy could be worth up to €2.7m in endorsement income to the 46-year old over the next 18 months, possibly much more, easing him to his 50th birthday, when he becomes eligible to join the lucrative US Champions Tour.
Golf's global era well and truly upon us
One of the strengths of the European Ryder Cup team is the sense of it being one big family pulling in the same direction for the same goal. It’s only a slight exaggeration but it holds true and the same could be said for European Tour itself, which, while it has grown beyond the wildest imaginings of those who set it up in 1972, is still a business of handshakes and relationships on a global stage.
McDowell decision a reflection of changing tide for agencies and top players
Rory McIlroy is unlikely to have shed a tear in sympathy for Conor Ridge and Horizon Sports Management following the announcement by Graeme McDowell on Sunday night that he's leaving the boutique Irish agency to manage his own affairs.
Arise, King Kev
Waterford’s Kevin Phelan - known as King Kev to his former amateur friends - produced one of the performances of the season to win his European Tour card at the Qualifying School Final Stage. His manger Chubby Chandler believes he could become Ireland’s answer to Luke Donald. It’s little wonder.
McIlroy goes his own way
Going their separate ways. Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management’s Conor Ridge visit the White House in March 2012.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Rory McIlroy has been hailed as golf’s Golden Child and the natural successor to Tiger Woods but while he announced yesterday that he has officially terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management and become “Rory McIlroy Incorporated” (RMI), there are still troubled waters ahead for the former world number one in the form of a legal battle with his former agency.
Phelan joins Chubby Chandler's ISM
Andrew “Chubby” Chandler will be looking after Kevin Phelan when he turns professional after the Walker Cup. Photo: Kenneth E.DennisKevin Phelan will turn professional after the Walker Cup and join former Ireland team mate Alan Dunbar in Chubby Chandler’s ISM stable.
As Dunbar takes first steps, Chubby pushes Clarke for PGA Tour return
Alan Dunbar hits his tee shot at the 7th in Tuesday’s practice round at Augusta National. Pic via Frank Casey Jnr/rosapenna.ieChubby Chandler might be quietly mapping out the future of British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar but he’s also working hard to give struggling Darren Clarke “a new lease of life” by persuading him to rejoin the PGA Tour next season and avoid the “soul-destroying” grind of the early season European Tour schedule.
McIlroy facing Sawgrass banana skin
The famous 17th at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Photo by Craig O’Neal.Rory McIlroy can take his tournament winnings for the past 12 months past the (€8.6m) $10.7 million mark this week. To do so, and to take a stranglehold on the world No 1 ranking he earned for the third time in just nine weeks on Sunday, the kid with the midas touch must win The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Ireland's golfing year in quotes: Part IV
Key people in Rory McIlroy’s life in 2011 - new girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki and new manager Conor Ridge. Pictured in Dubai on December 10 by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieAll eyes will be on Rory McIlroy in 2012 following his major breakthrough at the US Open. His eight-shot win at Congressional was one of the stories of the year but he also captured headlines for his activities off the course and none came bigger than his decision to sack manager Chubby Chandler and take on Conor Ridge at Horizon Sports Management.Shanghai showdown after "jokes with jabs"
Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood in action in Switzerland earlier this year. Credit: www.golffile.ieFormer stablemates Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood are set for a tense Shanghai showdown today. But were what Graeme McDowell described as the “jokes with jabs” that they exchanged on Twitter simply the result of a clash of egos or a symptom of a deeper malaise?McIlroy takes control and seizes his destiny
Gary McDowell, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Gerry McIlroy prepare to fee off for the second round of the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Picture, Stuart Adams, www.golftourimages.comIt’s hard to know which is the bigger story - ‘Rory McIlroy ditches Chubby Chandler ’ or ‘Boutique Irish management company lands another US Open champion.’The news, broken to Chandler by McIlroy in JFK airport on Wednesday night, came as a shock to the ISM founder. In truth, neither McIlroy’s exodus nor Horizon’s elevation to global player should come as a huge surprise to anyone.
Congressional threat to McIlroy's Irish Open future
Rory McIlroy in action at Congressional in June. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy could be tempted to skip next year’s Irish Open for a return visit to the scene of his record-breaking US Open triumph.
At least, that appears to be the scenario facing the player, his management and the European Tour as the 2012 schedule hoves into view.
McIlroy shows major courage - but at what cost?
Rory McIlroy and his faithful caddie JP Fitzgerald on the 17th. They made a triple bogey. Picture by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy showed his major winning spirit as he battled to survive the cut in the US PGA. But it remains to be seen when he will return to action again following the risky shot in Thursday’s first round that almost certainly cost him his chance of a second major victory."You guys get them when they're disappointed"
After a 7 over par weekend, it was no surprise that Rory McIlroy said he isn’t a fan of wind and rain. Pictured here during happier times at last month’s US Open by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy raised a few eyebrows at Sandwich on Sunday when he trooped off after his final round and declared that he can’t wait to get to play in some decent weather in the US next month.Clarke will only get bigger now - Chubby Chandler
Get in. Darren Clarke is laughing all the way to the bank. Pic: www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke might be thinking of joining WeightWatchers but his manager Chubby Chandler reckons he’s just going to get bigger.
The Big D got a €1m top prize for winning the Open plus a €2.2m bonus for wearing Dunlop Collection clothing.