Golf

Rory McIlroy welcomes court-ordered mediation with Horizon

Golfer says ‘last thing’ he and old friend Graeme McDowell need ‘is a day in court’

Rory McIlroy (right) and Graeme McDowell celebrate Europe’s Ryder Cup win over the USA in Medinah in 2012. Photograph: Inpho
Rory McIlroy (right) and Graeme McDowell celebrate Europe’s Ryder Cup win over the USA in Medinah in 2012. Photograph: Inpho
Fri Sept 19 2014 - 17:18

Rory McIlroy has welcomed the court-ordered mediation between him and his former management company Horizon.

The world number one says attempts made in the past to resolve the issues out of court have been “knocked back”, but he is keen to end the legal dispute so he and Graeme McDowell can focus on their golf.

McDowell has been involved in the dispute with Horizon by McIlroy’s lawyers, who requested the Portrush golfer’s contractual details with the management company, and the four-time major winner is grateful for how his old friend has handled the awkward situation.

“We have tried over the past six months to get to that point of mediation and resolution and every time we have tried to engage it’s been knocked back,” McIlroy told The Times. “It’s great the judge has forced us into this mediation because it’s the best way to do it. The last thing we both need is a day in court.

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“G-Mac has tried to stay out of it as much as he can - it’s none of his business, it’s nothing really to do with him. I know that it has placed him in a tough position but he’s done incredibly well in trying to be as impartial as possible.”

Before the mediation takes place, both McIlroy and McDowell will tee up for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next week and it will be a welcome distraction for both players, whose relationship has become "strained" at times as a result of legal wrangling.

“At times it has been strained, of course, because he’s managed by people I used to be managed by, and if he’s with them then I don’t want to go over and start chatting,” McIlroy said. “But we’re still very close. We went out to dinner in Denver a couple of weeks ago. G-Mac’s in a great place in life - he’s just had his first baby - and we’re great, we really are.

“I will always be grateful to him for showing me the ropes when I came out on tour and I still feel I have a really good friendship with him, regardless of whatever else is going on.”

The pair have played together six times on Ryder Cup duty and 2014 captain Paul McGinley has said he would be "very surprised" if they don't team up at some stage against the USA next week.