Rory, the T-Rex, the Kaiser, the goose, the gander and the golden egg
Who could have imagined that the signing of a $100 million, five-year endorsement deal with Nike in January 2013 would coincide with an acrimonious management break up just months later that is now the subject of a multimillion euro legal case.
McIlroy-Horizon battle promises plenty of courtroom drama
It wasn't in the grand setting of James Gandon's Four Courts but in a tiny third floor room nearby that the latest chapter in the Rory McIlroy v Horizon Sports Management drama played out to a handful of court scribes and a quarrel of lawyers.
McIlroy facing uncertainty after year of total control
Rory McIlroy's 2014 season has run as smooth as silk with two major wins punctuating an outstanding campaign that has featured a series of annoucements that could have been better scripted had they been prepared by the Nike people who choose his clothing.
McIlroy v Horizon: Could Rory risk losing $30m plus?
Rory McIlroy missed out on a $11.4m pay day in the FedEx Cup finale in Atlanta on Sunday but he could be back in Georgia next April having lost at least $30m, not to mention his brand image, if his case against Horizon Sports Management goes all the way to the High Court in Dublin in February and he loses.
Oakley harassing me, claims McIlroy
In a delicious irony - or perhaps there is some subtle method (attractive only to conspiracy theorists) in all this madness - Rory McIlroy has claimed in a California court that he is being harassed by Oakley and is “relying on the credibility of his former agent” as the US apparel manufacturer continues to chase both him and Nike in the California courts.
As legal battle begins, Horizon claim McIlroy to earn minimum $129m over next five years
As the drip-drip of information on Rory McIlroy’s acrimonious split from his former agents Horizon Sports Management grows to a trickle that promises to become a torrent following the initiation of proceedings in Dublin’s High Court on Monday, the golf writer’s memory begins to suffer flashbacks.
G-Mac on Rory exit - “I’m pretty sure Horizon weren’t giving him golf lessons"
Going their separate ways. Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management’s Conor Ridge visit the White House in March 2012. Little more than a year later, McIlroy has decided to do his own thing. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Graeme McDowell exonerated Horizon Sports Management from all blame and suggested that Rory McIlroy’s decision to dump them and manage his own affairs has a lot to do with snapping out of the slump in form he reckons has been caused by the massive pressures on his young pal’s shoulders.
Ireland's golfing 2012 in quotes - Part IV
Sunset at the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort. Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai win and his decision to leave Titleist for Nike dominated the end of season chat as Shane Lowry clinched his first win as a professional and David Higgins won back his tour card. Naturally, the scramble for the 2014 European Ryder Cup captaincy was also a hot topic at the close of an epic 2012.Oakley sues McIlroy and Nike
McIlroy becomes world No 1. Picture via Oakley.comThe excitement never ends for Rory McIlroy. After a season that brought a second major win, dual money titles and an avalanche of awards, the world No 1 will end 2012 in court after ESPN.com revealed that apparel-maker Oakley has sued both the Ulsterman and Nike for breach of contract following their estimated $250m deal.Team McIlroy refutes $2m Australian Open fee story
McIlroy tweeted a link to the latest US edition of Golf World recently. Other stories he’s not so happy about.Rory McIlroy today gave Paul McGinley yet another vote of confidence and called for the Dubliner to be given the task of taking leading Europe against Tom Watson’s USA in Gleneagles in 2014.
After also using his Twitter account to confirm “for the record” that he believes Darren Clarke should get “a go” in 2016 and then revealing how he’d just had lunch with Jack Nicklaus, his management company issued a statement to shoot down a story claiming he’d doubled an agreed appearance fee to play in the Australian Open.
Rory’s wild ride: "Are you taking the p***?"
Rory McIlroy jumps from an unmarked patrol car at Medinah at Sunday. Images via NBC/Golf Channel“Are you taking the piss?”That was the incredulous reaction of Rory McIlroy’s manager when he called the world No 1 wondering why he wasn’t at Medinah preparing for his Ryder Cup singles.
"Horizon has the credentials to manage a Rory McIlroy" - McDowell
If you can’t beat ‘em. Graeme McDowell is congratuated by Rory McIlroy for his match play win at Finca Cortesin in May. Photo Eoin Clarke/Golffile 2011Graeme McDowell insists that he did not give Rory McIlroy the “hard sell” and actively recruit him for the Horizon Sports Management stable.
As the 2010 US Open champion pointed out at Valderrama on Wednesday: “I would resent any suggestion of enticement.”
New era begins for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy’s website will be relaunched soon. Rory McIlroy’s new management team has starting transforming his world.
And Dublin based Horizon Sports is making sure it doesn’t make the same mistake as Chubby Chandler by hogging the limelight and becoming “celebrity” managers.
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.
Confident Cutler turns pro - "It’s the same club and ball"
Paul Cutler will make his professional debut in next week’s Austrian Open. Pictured above in the Irish Open as an amateur last month. Credit: Fran Caffrey/golffile.ieA few years ago Paul Cutler had little in common with Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald or Graeme McDowell.
But after helping Great Britain and Ireland to Walker Cup victory at Royal Aberdeen last weekend, the 22-year old from Portstewart has moved smoothly up the golden staircase to the paid ranks.
McDowell's "timing impeccable" as deals come up for renewal
The Ryder Cup is about pride, not about prize money. But Graeme McDowell’s agent could not have asked his star player to capture worldwide headlines at a more opportune time.
Bar his endorsement of the Dubai-based construction and real estate company, the Al Naboodah Group, all of the current US Open champion’s contracts are up for renewal at the end of year.
