News
Rory McIlroy is taking a brief break from golf
Rory McIlroy is taking a short break from professional golf out of necessity. It’s not due to injury or exhaustion, however. The Ulsterman will have a new full-time job in the next few weeks: prepping for trial.
McIlroy’s ongoing legal despute with his former management company, Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management Ltd, is proceeding to trial.
In a statement, McIlroy said:
“I’m going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management. The court-directed mediation process failed over the weekend to resolve the issue.”
How much time are we talking about? Not a lot. McIlroy is expected to miss the BMW Masters and could be back at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in late November.
Here’s a refresher on what’s at issue and what has happened so far.
In a nutshell, McIlroy alleges that a representation agreement he signed with Horizon in 2011 is unenforceable because the company exerted “undue influence” in coaxing him into signing an “unconscionable contract” that provided for “excessive commissions.” He contests that he signed on at 22 and without legal advice.
Horizon has counter-sued, claiming McIlroy owes the company more than three million dollars in off-course revenues. They also insist he owes additional money for past and ongoing breaches of contract.
As Luke Kerr-Dineen of Golf Digest wrote about the issue:
“When McIlroy filed suit against Horizon on October 14th was it revealed that the former World No. 1 felt he was coaxed into signed a “limiting” deal with the company (and at the office Christmas party, to make matters stranger — more on that later). McIlroy also said in a statement that his agent, Conor Ridge…and Horizon were “primarily concerned with maximizing their own share of any commission.” Translation: McIlroy felt he was unfairly paying too much money to his agents.”
It’s expected that McIlroy could spend in excess of a week on the stand after the conclusion of the discovery process.
Sub-optimal conditions as he prepares to pursue the career grand slam at Augusta at the beginning of April, to be sure.
I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear
OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.
LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break
Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.
Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.
On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.
On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.
On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.
PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home
Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.
On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.
Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?
Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.
Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?
PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates
Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.
Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.
Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.
Card III and Bacha both miss their birdie tries on the first playoff hole.
We’ll play 18 again @OspreyOpen. pic.twitter.com/vNpHTdkHDg
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) August 3, 2025
GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.
Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.
Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.
General Albums
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #2
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Scotty Kennon – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Austin Duncan – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Will Chandler – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kevin Roy – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ben Griffin – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ryan Gerard – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Adam Schenk – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kurt Kitayama – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matti Schmid – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
Pullout Albums
- Denny McCarthy’s custom Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Swag Golf putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Karl Vilips TM MG5 wedges – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- New Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matt Fitzpatrick’s custom Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX
7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Pingback: Law And Disorder- McIlroy's Legal Ills - The Golf Shop Online Blog
Tour Guy
Oct 23, 2014 at 7:34 pm
What a doozie
Dpavs
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:48 pm
One more feather in his I’m an immature jerk hat.
Teddy Scott
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:28 pm
The last thing I need is a precedent stating someone can do something and not be responsible for it…guess I’ll be getting sued when bubba hits his next bad shot
The south
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:10 pm
We’re not responsible for slavery
The north
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:13 pm
We take back winning the war
Adolf Hitler
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:07 pm
I take back what I did to the Jews
Bob Ross
Oct 23, 2014 at 2:04 pm
As of right now, I never painted a happy tree
Guest
Oct 23, 2014 at 11:16 am
This is the dumbest thing I have ever read. By far.
marcel
Oct 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm
very sad that the leech company wont let Rory go unless they destroy him. very very sad.
Jeff
Oct 22, 2014 at 5:55 pm
I have zero idea how the court system works in the UK but I’m just gonna support Rory, here’s why. I’m his fan, I have no reason not to believe him. He got screwed, and he’s not just gon a roll over, that’s all.
Answering the guy about Chubby Chandler, his name or mark isn’t on this at all. He was the guy who represented G MAC and Rory both. G mac left, then Apparently Horizon tried to line their pockets on the historic deal young Rory was about to sign with Nike, believe any narrative you want, this one rings truest to me
courtoni20
Nov 7, 2014 at 8:20 am
Did Gmac leave once his contract was completed? How many of us have signed stupid agreements when we were young without proper representation and had to live with the tough life lesson. They screwed him yes but he signed a contract.
Golfraven
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:22 pm
There is too much money in Dublin and I see why. Lived there couple of years and those chaps rip you off with a smile. Gamblers with no morals. Rory comes from a hard working family and his parents wouldn’t be happy if he just thrown money into a dragons throat – no matter what the amount. Glad he is fighting his case.
jwc
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:00 pm
No mulligans in golf but he wants one for a legally binding contract he signed with his own hand on his own accord? Interesting.
Desmond
Oct 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm
The agents know better — you do not have the other side sign a contract unless they have representation. That’s how a contract holds up.
Desmond
Oct 22, 2014 at 8:17 pm
It’s obvious they were ripping Rory off. You just don’t pull stunts like that..
erkr
Oct 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Never give in to people who tries to fool you.
Even if he makes loads of money its no reason to fool a young man into a bad personal deal.
Carlos Danger
Oct 22, 2014 at 11:31 am
Insert “doesnt he have enough money???” comment here ___________
JEFF
Oct 22, 2014 at 11:26 am
Why do people care what he does? I heard though that he was getting a breast reduction and a tattoo of a butterfly on his butt cheeks….kinda weird really!
Desmond
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:10 am
The management company should have known not to sign a deal with young Rory if he was not represented. Once he signed the deal and counsel was hired to review what Rory had signed, they should have re-negotiated the deal. You cannot allow any business to do this to anyone … it’s bad business.
The Infidel
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:43 am
I think there is plenty of comment on here without what is a full set of facts. A common theme on WRX stories or posts.
It’s my understanding that the inducements that were made in order to reach an agreement or contract may have been false or untrue at the point of signing. If you sign up (without legal advice) to get a prime rib and all you get is 3 week old chuck steak then you’re going to have a legitimate gripe. I think people should let the facts become known before making judgement. Rarely are things as neatly black and white as those in their ivory tower would like them to be.
Christosterone
Oct 22, 2014 at 9:15 am
Quick question to the author:
Where is Chubby Chandler in all of this? Is he involved?
Chubby always seemed like a great guy and I hope he’s not implicated in anything elicit.
bosse
Oct 22, 2014 at 4:37 am
this is not about money, this is about pride. Mcilroy is a world athlete with a winners attitude, he hate being fooled and this is his way of making up with guys he think took advantage of him. Björn borg was the same, almost throwed away his whole (post tennis career) company and brand because he had liaised with scumbags. he would not let a scumbag win against him at any cost, even if it meant him becoming broke.
now rory don’t risk falling broke though, just wanna make my point that this is personal, not about monay
Golfraven
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:07 pm
This is the reason why he opted out from his wedding arrangement with Wozniaki – whatever she did to him in the past. I guess he was asking for legal advice in this matter at least. She would have taken him to the cleaners for all he has. Go on Rory, you are a winner.
Pat
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Wozniaki makes tons of money herself. She doesn’t need Mcilroy to support her. Where are your facts? Or is the bs you are spewing just based on what you’ve “heard” through the grapevine?
Tom Thompson
Oct 22, 2014 at 2:35 am
‘In a nutshell, McIlroy alleges that a representation agreement he signed with Horizon in 2011 is unenforceable because the company exerted “undue influence” in coaxing him into signing an “unconscionable contract” that provided for “excessive commissions.” He contests that he signed on at 22 and without legal advice.’
So, the company presented him with a contract, said “sign it or it will go away in 24 hours,” that presented favorable terms to the company and he said “okay” before consulting external opinions.
Go home Rory and swim in your $250 million Nike dollars. What’s that? You have to give some of that away? Then swim in your $225 million dollars and consult a lawyer in the future.
I’m fine with people suing when the other party breaks a contract. I’m less fine with people suing because they stand to gain by breaking the contract they signed.
Maybe it’s way more complicated? Maybe they held a gun to his head and forced him to sign? But nothing about any of this sounds that way. It sound like he signed a deal that he wishes he didn’t sign. He hasn’t tricked. He was just dumb, and despite that, he’s still filthy rich in the end.
Marty
Oct 22, 2014 at 2:22 am
I can’t believe Nike just doesn’t sign a check and make this go away. $3 mil is chump change to what Nike will make if he keeps winning.
Pat
Oct 22, 2014 at 3:47 pm
If it was 10 grand, Nike would probably just scoff and pay it off. We are talking about 3 million dollars which is a lot of money even for a billion dollar company. In this case, your logic is flawed.
MHendon
Oct 22, 2014 at 1:13 am
Sounds like a lot of Boxers need to pay attention to this case.
nikkyd
Oct 21, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Rors needs to find himself a mike mccormick like arnie had
LY
Oct 22, 2014 at 6:49 pm
It’s Mark McCormack. His contract with Arnold Palmer was a simple handshake. That sure wouldn’t work today.
Golferbull
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:51 pm
Who are you clowns, judge Judy? Let the guy have his day in court and stop pretending to know anything about UK contract and tort law.
Ken
Oct 21, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Guessing we know as much as you, Sparky. Zero knowledge of UK law … I do understand common sense. You?
Ken
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm
It was his choice to forego legal representation. He was of legal age. I’m not surprised it wasn’t resolved through arbitration. Sounds like an expensive lesson.
Rich
Oct 21, 2014 at 9:00 pm
He seems to be making a habit of this each time he signs new contracts. Oakley, Horizon, who’s next? I would be very wary of going into business with this guy. His habit is if he doesn’t like it later or changes his mind he sues. Or he dumps you after the invitations have been sent out!
enrique
Oct 21, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Hmmm. Signed on as an adult. Tough battle. Good luck to him.