News

Rory McIlroy is taking a brief break from golf

Published

10 years ago

Oct 22, 2014

Rory McIlroy is taking a short break from professional golf out of necessity. It’s not due to injury or exhaustion, however. The Ulsterman will have a new full-time job in the next few weeks: prepping for trial.

McIlroy’s ongoing legal despute with his former management company, Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management Ltd, is proceeding to trial.

In a statement, McIlroy said:

“I’m going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management. The court-directed mediation process failed over the weekend to resolve the issue.”

How much time are we talking about? Not a lot. McIlroy is expected to miss the BMW Masters and could be back at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in late November.

Here’s a refresher on what’s at issue and what has happened so far.

In a nutshell, McIlroy alleges that a representation agreement he signed with Horizon in 2011 is unenforceable because the company exerted “undue influence” in coaxing him into signing an “unconscionable contract” that provided for “excessive commissions.” He contests that he signed on at 22 and without legal advice.

Horizon has counter-sued, claiming McIlroy owes the company more than three million dollars in off-course revenues. They also insist he owes additional money for past and ongoing breaches of contract.

As Luke Kerr-Dineen of Golf Digest wrote about the issue:

“When McIlroy filed suit against Horizon on October 14th was it revealed that the former World No. 1 felt he was coaxed into signed a “limiting” deal with the company (and at the office Christmas party, to make matters stranger — more on that later). McIlroy also said in a statement that his agent, Conor Ridge…and Horizon were “primarily concerned with maximizing their own share of any commission.” Translation: McIlroy felt he was unfairly paying too much money to his agents.”

It’s expected that McIlroy could spend in excess of a week on the stand after the conclusion of the discovery process.

Sub-optimal conditions as he prepares to pursue the career grand slam at Augusta at the beginning of April, to be sure.

Your Reaction?

LIKE0
LEGIT0
WOW0
LOL0
IDHT0
FLOP0
OB0
SHANK0

Related Topics:

Up Next

No, Lydia Ko is not working with Sean Foley

Don't Miss

Tiger back to hitting full shots

Ben Alberstadt

GolfWRX Editor-in-Chief

36 Comments

Pingback: Law And Disorder- McIlroy's Legal Ills - The Golf Shop Online Blog
Tour Guy

Oct 23, 2014 at 7:34 pm

What a doozie

Reply Report comment
Dpavs

Oct 23, 2014 at 2:48 pm

One more feather in his I’m an immature jerk hat.

Reply Report comment
Teddy Scott

Oct 23, 2014 at 2:28 pm

The last thing I need is a precedent stating someone can do something and not be responsible for it…guess I’ll be getting sued when bubba hits his next bad shot

Reply Report comment
The south

Oct 23, 2014 at 2:10 pm

We’re not responsible for slavery

Reply Report comment
- The north
  
  Oct 23, 2014 at 2:13 pm
  
  We take back winning the war
  
  Reply Report comment
Adolf Hitler

Oct 23, 2014 at 2:07 pm

I take back what I did to the Jews

Reply Report comment
Bob Ross

Oct 23, 2014 at 2:04 pm

As of right now, I never painted a happy tree

Reply Report comment
Guest

Oct 23, 2014 at 11:16 am

This is the dumbest thing I have ever read. By far.

Reply Report comment
marcel

Oct 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm

very sad that the leech company wont let Rory go unless they destroy him. very very sad.

Reply Report comment
Jeff

Oct 22, 2014 at 5:55 pm

I have zero idea how the court system works in the UK but I’m just gonna support Rory, here’s why. I’m his fan, I have no reason not to believe him. He got screwed, and he’s not just gon a roll over, that’s all.

Answering the guy about Chubby Chandler, his name or mark isn’t on this at all. He was the guy who represented G MAC and Rory both. G mac left, then Apparently Horizon tried to line their pockets on the historic deal young Rory was about to sign with Nike, believe any narrative you want, this one rings truest to me

Reply Report comment
- courtoni20
  
  Nov 7, 2014 at 8:20 am
  
  Did Gmac leave once his contract was completed? How many of us have signed stupid agreements when we were young without proper representation and had to live with the tough life lesson. They screwed him yes but he signed a contract.
  
  Reply Report comment
Golfraven

Oct 22, 2014 at 3:22 pm

There is too much money in Dublin and I see why. Lived there couple of years and those chaps rip you off with a smile. Gamblers with no morals. Rory comes from a hard working family and his parents wouldn’t be happy if he just thrown money into a dragons throat – no matter what the amount. Glad he is fighting his case.

Reply Report comment
jwc

Oct 22, 2014 at 3:00 pm

No mulligans in golf but he wants one for a legally binding contract he signed with his own hand on his own accord? Interesting.

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Oct 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm
  
  The agents know better — you do not have the other side sign a contract unless they have representation. That’s how a contract holds up.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Desmond
    
    Oct 22, 2014 at 8:17 pm
    
    It’s obvious they were ripping Rory off. You just don’t pull stunts like that..
    
    Reply Report comment
erkr

Oct 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm

Never give in to people who tries to fool you.
Even if he makes loads of money its no reason to fool a young man into a bad personal deal.

Reply Report comment
Carlos Danger

Oct 22, 2014 at 11:31 am

Insert “doesnt he have enough money???” comment here ___________

Reply Report comment
JEFF

Oct 22, 2014 at 11:26 am

Why do people care what he does? I heard though that he was getting a breast reduction and a tattoo of a butterfly on his butt cheeks….kinda weird really!

Reply Report comment
Desmond

Oct 22, 2014 at 10:10 am

The management company should have known not to sign a deal with young Rory if he was not represented. Once he signed the deal and counsel was hired to review what Rory had signed, they should have re-negotiated the deal. You cannot allow any business to do this to anyone … it’s bad business.

Reply Report comment
The Infidel

Oct 22, 2014 at 9:43 am

I think there is plenty of comment on here without what is a full set of facts. A common theme on WRX stories or posts.

It’s my understanding that the inducements that were made in order to reach an agreement or contract may have been false or untrue at the point of signing. If you sign up (without legal advice) to get a prime rib and all you get is 3 week old chuck steak then you’re going to have a legitimate gripe. I think people should let the facts become known before making judgement. Rarely are things as neatly black and white as those in their ivory tower would like them to be.

Reply Report comment
Christosterone

Oct 22, 2014 at 9:15 am

Quick question to the author:
Where is Chubby Chandler in all of this? Is he involved?
Chubby always seemed like a great guy and I hope he’s not implicated in anything elicit.

Reply Report comment
bosse

Oct 22, 2014 at 4:37 am

this is not about money, this is about pride. Mcilroy is a world athlete with a winners attitude, he hate being fooled and this is his way of making up with guys he think took advantage of him. Björn borg was the same, almost throwed away his whole (post tennis career) company and brand because he had liaised with scumbags. he would not let a scumbag win against him at any cost, even if it meant him becoming broke.

now rory don’t risk falling broke though, just wanna make my point that this is personal, not about monay

Reply Report comment
- Golfraven
  
  Oct 22, 2014 at 3:07 pm
  
  This is the reason why he opted out from his wedding arrangement with Wozniaki – whatever she did to him in the past. I guess he was asking for legal advice in this matter at least. She would have taken him to the cleaners for all he has. Go on Rory, you are a winner.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Pat
    
    Oct 22, 2014 at 3:44 pm
    
    Wozniaki makes tons of money herself. She doesn’t need Mcilroy to support her. Where are your facts? Or is the bs you are spewing just based on what you’ve “heard” through the grapevine?
    
    Reply Report comment
Tom Thompson

Oct 22, 2014 at 2:35 am

‘In a nutshell, McIlroy alleges that a representation agreement he signed with Horizon in 2011 is unenforceable because the company exerted “undue influence” in coaxing him into signing an “unconscionable contract” that provided for “excessive commissions.” He contests that he signed on at 22 and without legal advice.’

So, the company presented him with a contract, said “sign it or it will go away in 24 hours,” that presented favorable terms to the company and he said “okay” before consulting external opinions.

Go home Rory and swim in your $250 million Nike dollars. What’s that? You have to give some of that away? Then swim in your $225 million dollars and consult a lawyer in the future.

I’m fine with people suing when the other party breaks a contract. I’m less fine with people suing because they stand to gain by breaking the contract they signed.

Maybe it’s way more complicated? Maybe they held a gun to his head and forced him to sign? But nothing about any of this sounds that way. It sound like he signed a deal that he wishes he didn’t sign. He hasn’t tricked. He was just dumb, and despite that, he’s still filthy rich in the end.

Reply Report comment
Marty

Oct 22, 2014 at 2:22 am

I can’t believe Nike just doesn’t sign a check and make this go away. $3 mil is chump change to what Nike will make if he keeps winning.

Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Oct 22, 2014 at 3:47 pm
  
  If it was 10 grand, Nike would probably just scoff and pay it off. We are talking about 3 million dollars which is a lot of money even for a billion dollar company. In this case, your logic is flawed.
  
  Reply Report comment
MHendon

Oct 22, 2014 at 1:13 am

Sounds like a lot of Boxers need to pay attention to this case.

Reply Report comment
nikkyd

Oct 21, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Rors needs to find himself a mike mccormick like arnie had

Reply Report comment
- LY
  
  Oct 22, 2014 at 6:49 pm
  
  It’s Mark McCormack. His contract with Arnold Palmer was a simple handshake. That sure wouldn’t work today.
  
  Reply Report comment
Golferbull

Oct 21, 2014 at 9:51 pm

Who are you clowns, judge Judy? Let the guy have his day in court and stop pretending to know anything about UK contract and tort law.

Reply Report comment
- Ken
  
  Oct 21, 2014 at 10:29 pm
  
  Guessing we know as much as you, Sparky. Zero knowledge of UK law … I do understand common sense. You?
  
  Reply Report comment
Ken

Oct 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm

It was his choice to forego legal representation. He was of legal age. I’m not surprised it wasn’t resolved through arbitration. Sounds like an expensive lesson.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Oct 21, 2014 at 9:00 pm

He seems to be making a habit of this each time he signs new contracts. Oakley, Horizon, who’s next? I would be very wary of going into business with this guy. His habit is if he doesn’t like it later or changes his mind he sues. Or he dumps you after the invitations have been sent out!

Reply Report comment
enrique

Oct 21, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Hmmm. Signed on as an adult. Tough battle. Good luck to him.

Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

5 days ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

Your Reaction?

LIKE1
LEGIT0
WOW0
LOL0
IDHT1
FLOP0
OB0
SHANK0

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

6 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

Your Reaction?

LIKE9
LEGIT0
WOW0
LOL2
IDHT0
FLOP1
OB0
SHANK0

News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

6 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.