Harrington Takes Honda Lead

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Padraig Harrington’s gruelling schedule at the start of the season looks to be bearing fruit after the three-time Major winner rose to the top of the leaderboard after the weather-delayed second round of the Honda Classic in Florida.

The 43-year-old Dubliner was four under and four shots off the lead of Brendan Steeleovernight after play was suspended due to darkness on Friday evening.

Harrington made a storming start on the resumption play, with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th, the last two holes of the famous Bear Trap on the PGA National Course.

Another birdie came at the first before the first dropped shot of his second round came at the par-five sixth before a scintillating hat-trick of birdies from the fourth to move to nine under.

At that stage, Harrington was three shots clear of clubhouse leader Patrick Reed, but he would close with back-to-back bogeys and sign for a four-under 66 to leave him on seven under.

The second round was completed on Saturday after rain delays on Friday and the players will be straight back in action in the third round later on Saturday.

Ian Poulter’s impressive 64 moved him to within two strokes of Harrington and level with American Steele on five under.

Former Honda Classic winner Luke Donald, shot a 67 to move three strokes off the lead.

Graeme McDowell joined fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy in missing the cut after completing a one-over 71 in his second round to miss the cut by one shot on five over.

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Judge Refuses Horizon McIlroy Phones

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The High Court has refused Rory McIlroy's former management team Horizon Sport Management Ltd applications for orders seeking inspection of the golfer's mobile phones.

The applications had also been made by two other companies Mr McIlroy had signed a representation agreement with, Gurteen Ltd and Canovan Management Services.

Mr Justice Raymond Fullam also refused orders seeking discovery of the golfer's telephone bills and inspection orders of the mobile phones of consultant Donal Casey, who later became CEO of Rory McIlroy Inc, and of Sean O'Flaherty, the golfer's personal assistant.

Judge Fullam said in a reserved judgment that the three companies had been looking for expert inspection of eight mobile phones and any computers used by the golfer at any time between October 2011 and December 2013.

The judge said the proposed inspection included "unspecified devices of which there is no evidence of use" by McIlroy.

"The proposed forensic examination of the phones is a speculative exercise which goes beyond the parameters of the evidence."

The applications had been made last year in advance of the hearing of the golfer's claim he is entitled to repudiate a December 2011 agreement with the three companies, on grounds that it was improvident.

Horizon Sport Management Ltd, Gurteen Ltd and Canovan Management Services deny his claims and have counter-claimed for damages.

The companies claimed Mr McIlroy deliberately "wiped clean" up to eight mobile phones, which may have contained important information relating to his legal action against his former sports management company.

It is claimed this "factory resetting" of phones was also done to devices of Mr Casey and Mr O'Flaherty, and of the golfer's father, Gerry McIlroy.

Judge Fullam said Mr Casey and Mr O'Flaherty were not parties in the case, and making inspection orders without their consent would be oppressive.

The judge also refused that Gerry McIlroy, the golfer's father be compelled to provide a further affidavit.

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No Line on Horizon for McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy and sports management company, Horizon Sports, have failed in their mandated mediation talks, the Commercial Court has heard. Resulting in the case proceeding to a full hearing in February 2015.

Mr McIlroy is suing Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management Ltd and two other companies, Gurteen Ltd, with a registered address in Malta, and Dublin-based Canovan Management Services.

The Holywood golfer claims a representation agreement signed by him in December 2011 is invalid and unenforceable on grounds including alleged undue influence. The agreement, he alleges, was signed when he was aged just 22, inexperienced and without the benefit of independent legal advice.

The defendants deny the claims and have counter-claimed for some US$3m dollars allegedly outstanding under the agreement for off-course revenues. They also claim additional monies are owed under both the December 2011 agreement and a later agreement of March 2013. 

They are also claiming damages for alleged past and continuing breaches of both agreements.

At the Commercial Court last month, Mr Justice Brian McGovern suggested the sides attempt to mediate the dispute and his suggestion was taken up.

When the matter was back before the judge today, he was told by Rossa Fanning BL, for Mr McIlroy, the mediation has proven unsuccessful and the case was proceeding to trial.

The judge agreed to deal with issues related to discovery of documents in mid November and adjourned the matter on consent.

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