1/28/2015

No Line on the Horizon - McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy is hoping for a swift court case between himself and Horizon Sports Management so that he can get back to doing what his does best on the golf course.

McIlroy took action against his former employers, claiming 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.

"I want to put in a good performance this week, try to win and then turn my attention to the court case - hopefully it won't take too long and we can get it over and done with," said McIlroy ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic.

"It's not something you want hanging over your head and it's not something I'd want anyone to go through, it's not a nice process.

"It's a shame it's gone this far and that two sides see things completely differently. The only way to sort it out is to get a judger to come in and tell us what to do."

McIlroy is fully focuses on the week's action however.

"I am disappointed if I don't win, to be honest," he added. "You're not here to try to finish in the top five.

"I'd definitely like to break the runners-up duck the right way than the wrong way. We'll see. But I'm comfortable on this golf course, and I have good memories here, and I seem to play the course very well."

McIlroy was runner-up in the World Tour Championship in November, the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December, and the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago in his first start of the year.

To finish the tour's desert swing a winner again, he will have to beat the likes of world No. 2 Henrik Stenson, No. 5 Sergio Garcia, No. 12 Martin Kaymer, and two-time defending champion Stephen Gallacher, who is a remarkable 55-under par in his last three tournaments on the Majlis course at Emirates.

Then he has a date in a Dublin court next week, as his legal battle with Horizon Sports, his former management company, inches toward a final judgement.

McIlroy said he was trying not to think of the court case until after the tournament.

"To be honest, I've been concentrating on my golf and practice, and that stuff is much more important to me than what's going to happen next week," he said.

"I will be relieved when this (case) is over. It's not something that I would want anyone to go through. I'm going to be heading to the States regardless, with it off my mind and not having to deal with it or think about it anymore."

The classic also marks the first start of the year for Europe Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell. Ernie Els, a three-time classic winner, and holder of the course record of 11-under par 61, is also entered.


Jimenez and Clarke Contest Captaincy

 

The Ryder Cup against the USA in two years will be either Darren Clarke or Miguel Angel Jimenez, reports now indicate.

Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia both believe it will be a straight fight between the Northern Irishman and the Spaniard over who replaces 2014 skipper Paul McGinley.

“Most likely we’re going to see a race between Darren and Miguel,” Stenson said ahead of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.

“That’s the beauty of being part of the Tournament Players Committee that no longer votes for it. I don’t have to put any thought into it, I just have to wait like everybody else until the result comes out.”

The captain used to be decided by the players but it is now down to a five-man panel that includes former skippers McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie.

“They have got enough experience between them to come up with a good decision,” said Stenson who has played in the biennial team event three times.

“I believe they haven’t met yet. They haven’t managed to get that meeting together so I don’t know when it’s scheduled to happen.”

Asked if Clarke or Jimenez would be the next captain, Garcia replied: “It looks like that.

“I think those are the two big candidates and I think we are all excited to see how it turns out,” added Garcia who has made seven Ryder Cup appearances.