Melbourne World Cup Confusion

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There is confusion over what Irish representation will be at this year's World Cup amid reports that a Northern Ireland team may play in Melbourne. In previous World Cups, an all-island Ireland team has competed.

However, the issue over whether Rory McIlroy or Graeme McDowell should represent Britain or Ireland in the Olympics could affect the World Cup.

World Cup organisers said earlier this week that a Northern Ireland team would compete at Royal Melbourne.

This was announced in a statement from the International Federation of PGA Tours as the Australian course was officially unveiled as the venue for the World Cup on 21-24 November.

"The major difference between the World Cup qualification model and that of the Olympic golf competition is that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will each be considered a separate country," said the International Federation of PGA Tours statement.

There was no reference in the statement to whether an Ireland or Republic of Ireland team will also compete in Australia.

McIlroy and McDowell have played for Ireland in the last two World Cups but McIlroy confirmed last month that he would not do so this year as it would rule out the possibility of him playing for Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics.

For his part, McDowell said that he was determined to play at Royal Melbourne even if that closed the door to him representing Britain at the Rio Olympics.

McDowell added that he wanted world number two McIlroy to be his partner in Australia.

On hearing of the apparent change earlier this week, McIlroy said: "That might change things a little".

Players and countries are selected from the world ranking until the 60-man field is set for the event, which runs from 21-24 November.

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New Path for Rory McIlroy?

Rory McIlroy is expected to split with his current agents to set up his own management company, barely a year after parting company with his former representatives at ISM.

McIlroy, the world No. 2, is currently represented by Dublin-based Horizon Sports after leaving Chubby Chandler's International Sports Management (ISM) agency in 2011.

At the time of his split with ISM McIlory said he was unhappy with the way his career was moving and soon after signed with Horizon. He has since made the decision to re-locate to the United States and has also agreed a variety of new endorsements - including an agreement with Nike.

The 24-year-old Holywood born golfer is now widely expected to create his own management company to deal with his affairs - with family and close friends tasked with looking out for his interests.

Horizon chief Conor Ridge refused to comment when asked if McIlroy is set to split from the company, despite insistence in the Irish media that the decision has already been made.

"We simply do not comment on industry rumours or speculation," Ridge told the Irish Independent. "Horizon Sports Management always has and always will give first priority to the confidentiality of its clients."

McIlroy is expected to strike out on his own, having taken the advice of tennis superstar Roger Federer - who, along with his long-time agent, left global agency IMG last year to handle his affairs directly.

A third Nike ambassador, world No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods, previously did something similar with the IMG agent he had his entire professional career, Mark Steinberg.

"He's a role model, someone I can pattern myself after," McIlroy told the New York Times, speaking about Federer's handling of his image.

While dissatisfaction with some of his sponsorship deals and a rift with other senior clients - notably Westwood - was believed to be a factor in McIlroy's departure from ISM, no reason has been given for his decision to leave Horizon.

However, McIlroy was widely criticised for his walk-off at the recent Honda Classic - an event Horizon agent was present  and one where the company put out a confusing statement that only fuelled the controversy.

"I'm not going to say we handled it perfectly," Ridge said of the tournament. "I'm sure we could have done something better."

Some of McIlroy's other comments to the New York Times suggest he craves the personal approach, perhaps to a greater extent than even Horizon can offer.

"There's no set way to do it," McIlroy said about his representation. "I think it's a good thing for me that I'm with a smaller company. They are always looking out for what's best for me."

"What we're dealing with and what's going on in my life now is new to everyone around me and it's a learning experience and it's a learning curve and you learn every day.

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