No curly wigs – or red noses for that matter – were evident. Nor much merriment either. Rory McIlroy yesterday rolled into the media centre here at Wentworth Golf Club in leafy Surrey, outside London, and – be it on legal advice or simply with a sense that the less said the better – danced around confirming or denying any split with Horizon Sports, who have acted as his management agency for the past 18 months.
“Look, I’m here to try and stay on point and talk about golf . . I can’t really talk about speculation at this point. Obviously you guys know that something’s up. That’s fair enough. But, at this point, I can’t really say much more,” said McIlroy.
Wouldn’t it end speculation if someone – preferably him – said something, he was asked. “I can’t comment further,” replied McIlroy.
Later, queried as to the wisdom of his comments at The Players championship in Sawgrass just a fortnight ago when he point blank denied any potential split, McIlroy responded: "Again, at this point, I can't really comment on it. I mean, I don't want to get myself in a position I don't want to be in. Look, it is what it is. And the truth will come out one day, and I'll guess you'll just have to be patient".
Circus and clowns
Prior to that mass interview, McIlroy had – rather curiously – spoken in a television interview with Sky Sports of the hoopla surrounding his every move and the consequent newspaper headlines: "If you want to be in the circus, you have to put up with the clowns."
“I thought it was a good comment . . . just think about it,” he replied, when asked to explain its meaning.
On one point, though, McIlroy was clear and unequivocal: his relationship with Graeme McDowell was beyond harm. Having told reporters on the practice range on Tuesday to “ask G-Mac, he knows more than me,” McIlroy revealed the two had “a chat” on different issues in the hotel where they are based this week.
“Everything’s good, so there won’t be any clubs being pulled at the wrong time the next few days or anything like that,” said McIlroy, making an analogy with the catalyst for the Serrio Garcia-Tiger Woods blow-up at the Players.
"Look, it's all good. I'm great friends with Graeme. He's been a real big brother to me on tour. I remember playing practice rounds with him at the Dunhill Links, for example, back in 2007. He really showed me the ropes out here for a couple of years . . . . and he's obviously somebody that I consider a very good friend."
Speculation
With all the brouhaha following him around this season, switching clubs to Nike in a mega sponsorship deal and now the speculation over him splitting from his management company, McIlroy – naturally – would prefer his clubs to do the talking on the course, especially with the US Open at Merion moving ever closer. McIlroy plays here in the BMW PGA and next week's Memorial before a week's break followed by the season's second Major.
Of his golf, McIlroy observed: “I’m really excited and positive where my game is at, it’s just a matter of holing a few more putts and, if I can do that, and keep giving myself chances to win tournaments, hopefully I’ll walk through that door and get the first win of the season.”
