Dubai: Fresh from the high of his second Omega Dubai Desert Classic victory at the weekend, Rory McIlroy must now face the “tedious and nasty” process of a High Court trial in Dublin on Tuesday.
The world No.1, who finished three strokes clear, equaling the tournament’s record lowest score of 22 under par in Dubai, now swaps his golf gear for a suit and tie as he attempts to settle a £13 million [Dh72 million] legal dispute with his former agent Conor Ridge of Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management.
The four-time Major winning Northern Irishman filed a lawsuit against Horizon in September 2013 after he felt he was tricked into signing a contract at an office Christmas party, which enabled his management to take an unfair slice of his earnings [£5.9 million] through commission.
Horizon is counter-suing McIlroy for unpaid fees worth £1.6 million after the 25-year-old broke off the contract. They are also defending their right to earlier commission after helping the golfer secure lucrative endorsements including his $100 million (Dh367 million) five-year Nike deal.
Central to the trial, which could last six to eight weeks, will be potential evidence which was wiped from McIlroy’s mobile phones. The proceedings are also expected to play havoc with the golfer’s schedule as he prepares for April’s Masters Tournament, the only one of four majors he’s yet to have won.
McIlroy brushed off talk of the trial after being presented with the Coffee Pot trophy at Emirates Golf Club on Sunday. “Let me enjoy this for an hour or two, first,” he told prying reporters who questioned him on his impending trip to Dublin.
Heading into the Desert Classic, McIlroy admitted he would be happy when the trial was over and said the court appearance hadn’t disrupted his preparations for the tournament - which is the last European Tour event on his schedule before heading to America ahead of the Masters Tournament.
“It’s not something I’d want anyone to go through,” he said. “It’s a very tedious and nasty process at times.
“I’ve been concentrating on this [the Omega Dubai Desert Classic] and practice and that stuff’s much more important to me than what’s going to happen next week.
“After the tournament is over I’ll have to do my homework a little bit, but at the same time I’m fully focused on this event and my golf and just trying to do the best that I can this week.
“I’ll be heading to the US regardless with it off my mind and not having to deal with it or think about it, that will be it. It will be nice once it’s over and done with.”
Fellow Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell, who is still managed by Horizon, had earlier admitted the trial had put a strain on his friendship with McIlroy, adding that he “had a foot in both camps”.
“It’s been a strain on our relationship, no doubt about it,” said McDowell. “We’re not the same as we used to be.
“Until the legal proceedings are over and done with, there’s always going to be that little bit of tension in the air.
“I’m very keen for him and Horizon to clear things up so we can all get on with the rest of our lives.”
