1/09/2015

Judge Refuses Horizon McIlroy Phones

Getty Images
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.


1/07/2015

McGinley Expects Rory Tiger Battle


Paul McGinley believes a head-to-head battle between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods over the next year would be "great for our sport".

McIlroy soared to the top of the world rankings after winning two majors in 2014 while Woods spent most of the year on the sidelines following back surgery.

Woods returned to action last month as he hosted the Hero World Challenge in Florida armed with a "new, old swing" constructed under the watchful eye of biomechanics coach Chris Como.

The 39-year-old was generally consistent from tee to green, but his short-game was in disarray as he finished last in the elite 18-man field - 26 shots behind runaway winner Jordan Spieth.

"Rivalries are what sport is built on. For somebody to rise up this year and have a real head-to-head battle with Rory would be great for our sport"

But McGinley expects a healthy Woods to climb back up the world rankings this year, and the victorious Ryder Cup captain hopes to see a number of showdowns between the 14-time major champion and McIlroy.

"I saw Tiger play in his tournament and the one thing that was very clear, and speaking to some of the guys that have played with him recently too, is that he's got his distance back," McGinley told Reuters.

"If you are playing at the top level in professional golf now you've got to be hitting the ball a long way. Rory has got that, he's one of the longest hitters in the world, and it looks like Tiger has got that back. That's going to be a big asset for him.

"Rivalries are what sport is built on. For somebody to rise up this year and have a real head-to-head battle with Rory would be great for our sport."

Woods has attracted many critics over the last few years for his on-course behaviour as well as his infamous off-course transgressions, but McGinley admits he remains the star attraction every time he tees up.

"Tiger is one of those guys that moves the needle in so many ways," added McGinley. "Not everybody is a fan of Tiger and some people like to see him doing badly so he moves the needle one way or the other.

"On the other side it's been seven years since he won a major championship. There's pressure on him to reach Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins and it'll be interesting to see how competitive he is this year.

Back in the swing

"If he gets into contention at a major, will he be able to follow through and win? He's made changes, he has gone back to trying to find the golf swing he used as a young boy and a swing that comes natural to him.

"It's very difficult to do what Tiger has done. Very few players have done that. Nick Faldo did it and Padraig Harrington did it, completely ripping apart their swings, putting it back together and still being successful.

"Tiger has gone backwards and it will be interesting to see if he can use that to go forwards and use it as a base to win major championships again."

But McGinley also expects McIlroy to add significantly to his tally of four major crowns, and he believes the Northern Irishman will be tough to dislodge at the top of the world rankings.

He said: "There are a lot more wins in Rory yet. He's incredibly talented, he's proved himself at the very top level and he's the undisputed No 1 player in the world."


1/06/2015

McGinley Undecided on Ryder Captain


Paul McGinley insists he is yet to decide who he will be recommending to be Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup captain and has declined to comment on the possible candidacy of Darren Clarke.

McGinley inspired Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory over the United States in September and is now tasked with choosing a successor to lead the team in Minnesota next year.

The selection panel will include former captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie, as well European Tour officials, but McGinley's opinion is likely to carry particular weight after his triumph at Gleneagles.

"I haven't fully made my mind up yet about who I'm going to recommend," McGinley told Press Association Sport.

"We're still communicating, there are a number of people involved in making that decision - current players, potential players going forward, and people who are associated with the Ryder Cup.

"I'm gathering information from everyone and I want to get a really solid view of what everybody thinks before I bring my ideas forward.

"We're working on it and in the next couple of months we'll have a new captain in place and the wheels will be turning towards another Ryder Cup."

Darren Clarke is the strong favourite to take the post having played in the Ryder Cup five times and helped lead the team as vice-captain in 2010.

McGinley's relationship with Clarke, however, remains strained after Clarke withdrew his support for McGinley's bid to lead the side in 2014 and suggested he may not have the presence to face America captain Tom Watson.

"Would Clarke be a good captain? The one thing I cannot do is express an opinion on that," McGinley said.

"I'll talk about it afterwards but at this moment it's only right I stay neutral and am fair to all the candidates.

"When I was trying to be captain, all I wanted was to be treated fairly by everybody so I think it's important I do the same now I'm involved in the decision making process."
"Would Clarke be a good captain? The one thing I cannot do is express an opinion on that" - Paul McGinley

McGinley drew on a wide variety of experience to help him lead at Gleneagles and he says he would be happy to offer his advice to future teams, but only if it was called upon.

"Of course I would be happy to help going forward," McGinley said.

"I'm European through and through and have been involved in six Ryder Cups and have a lot of experience.

"Whoever is Ryder Cup captain though, it's important he captains how he sees fit and doesn't try to copy me or anybody else before.

"It's important the captain is true to himself and captains the way he thinks is best to get a result for Europe.

"But if anybody wants to have a conversation with me, I certainly would be very happy to do so."

In contrast to McGinley, Watson's leadership style was one of many factors blamed for America's loss last year and a Ryder Cup Task Force has since been established to unearth a way of beating the Europeans.

McGinley, however, believes there is one explanation that may have been overlooked.

"For all the fall-out over there, there's never been a whole lot of recognition of what a formidable opponent Europe has become," McGinley said.

"The European Tour is producing great players and then there are the experienced players who make the team time after time.

"We have the world number one player saying he was more up for the Ryder Cup singles than he was for the last round of two majors last year.

"That just shows how important it's become for Europeans.

"Our players are dominating the top of the world rankings and we were playing at home. We were a very, very tough opponent."


12/20/2014

Darren Nearly Out of the Woods


Darren Clarke hopes to lead the European Ryder Cup team in 2016 at Hazeltine, and is delighted to receive the support from Tiger Woods recently.

Woods adds his name to Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter — all of whom hope to see Clarke succeed Paul McGinley.

“It’s true Darren and I go back a long way, all the way back to when both he and I were working with Butch [Harmon] and that’s back to around 2000, so I’ve known Darren a long time,” Woods, a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup task force formed to determine how to beat the Euros, told the Irish Examiner earlier this month. “If I make the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team, and that’s the goal, then I think it would be fun to be in a U.S. team with Darren as the rival European team captain because I’ve played with him and against him and we’ve always had a blast.”

Woods watched from his couch the Ryder Cup this year at Gleneagles and is now part of the PGA of America panel formed in the wake of that US defeat.

Clarke, a playing member on five consecutive European Ryder Cup teams as well as vice-captain in 2010 and 2012, appreciated Woods’ support. 

“Obviously, it’s something I would love to do,” Clarke said Wednesday ahead of the Asian Tour’s inaugural Dubai Open. “But it’s not something you petition for. My name was been put forward and I’m in the running for it. I would love to do it, but it’s up to the committee to decide.”

With the formalities out of the way, Clarke conceded that he welcomed the kind words from the 14-time major champion.

“With the best player in the world for a long time [saying] it would be a blast, that's high praise,” Clarke said. “Tiger’s a good friend and we’ve known each other [a long time]. “But there are a few other guys up for it. Whoever the committee decides will be captain … I’m sure will be a great captain.”

As for whom captain Clarke might add to his inner circle, it probably would not be Woods.

“I think it might cause a bit of a stir if I asked him to be one of the vice-captains,” Clarke quipped, “so I think I'd better not.”


Harrington Receives PGA Award

Getty Images
Padraig Harrington is the 2014 recipient of the PGA Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to golf.

The Dubliner, who returned to the winner’s rostrum with his victory in the recent Indonesian Open, picked up the accolade at the PGA’s annual fundraiser at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Harrington has scaled the heights of world golf with back to back Open Championship victories at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale a year later.

He also held off the challenge of Sergio Garcia to land the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008 to become the first European to win back-to-back Major Championships.

It was deserved reward for his efforts on the practice ground where he would famously spend days on end with coach Bob Torrance fashioning a swing to accompany his deadly accurate short game.

The three-time Walker Cup player turned professional in 1995 and has chalked up 14 European Tour victories plus several more worldwide.

In addition he has enjoyed huge success in the Ryder Cup, making six appearances, helping Europe to four wins – the last in 2010.

Harrington was also a vice captain to fellow Irishman Paul McGinley at Gleneagles and is widely touted as a future captain.

Away from the fairways he has been equally dedicated, establishing the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, becoming an ambassador for both the R&A and Special Olympics and also supporting a number of charities including the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and the 3Ts.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Padraig is a golfer who inspires tremendous affection on the world stage, not just for his brilliant golf but for his dedication and passion and also for the way he conducts himself and which has made him hugely popular in the game.

“The PGA Recognition Award is our way of acknowledging great achievements in the game and I’m delighted on behalf of the PGA’s membership to bestow this accolade on Padraig – he is a deserving winner and credit to the sport.”

Commenting on the award, Harrington said: “The PGA does outstanding work on behalf of its members and fulfills an important role in growing and promoting the game of golf for the benefit of all. 

“It’s a real honour to receive the PGA Recognition Award from such a respected organisation and I am delighted that my career achievements have been recognised with this special distinction.”

The PGA lunch is an important fundraiser for the PGA’s Benevolent Fund which helps members who have fallen on difficult and hard times.