Golfer Pro McIlroy Distracted by Legal Woes

Rory McIlroy, once the wunderkind of the international golf circuit, has admitted that ongoing legal battles with his former management company, Horizon, has affected his game play.

Speaking from Dubai this week, where the world’s number six hopes to defend his DP World Tour Championship crown, the 24 year old McIlory said: “There’s definitely been a few things that have impacted on my performance on the course. I’ve had a few different things to think about and different things that occupy your head that really shouldn’t.”

The player reassured his fans that “it’s something that will be sorted out hopefully sooner rather than later. That’s the way it is and comes with the territory I guess.”

McIlroy said that he has “seen more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire life”, referring to the battle he has been fighting against Horizon over a contract he calls “unconscionable”, saying that it has cost him over $6.8 million in fees.  Horizon is counter suing for $2.4 million in unpaid fees.

The player’s battles have certainly taken a toll on his play.  It was exactly a year ago that McIlroy landed in Dubai as the world’s number one, having secured four victories that season and well on his way to making it a fifth. Just twelve months later, and McIlroy is now number six and has not won a single title this season.

It hasn’t helped matters that McIlroy may have split up from his long term partner, the tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, allegedly over an unflattering picture that she tweeted of the golfer asleep.  Media sources were buzzing with the news of a split a fortnight ago, although some have since reported that it was all a rumor and that they are still together. Whatever the true story, this type of pressure and speculation may also be taking its toll on the young Irishman.