adminDublin — World No 1 Rory McIlroy was spared a protracted legal battle ahead of the Masters in April after settling a multi-million pounds case with his former management company on Wednesday, just a day after proceedings opened at Dublin’s High Court. McIlroy had been suing Conor Ridge’s Horizon Sports Management company, who in turn counter-sued the Northern Irishman over the terms of an agreement he struck with the firm in 2011.
After proceedings opened on Tuesday, lawyers for both parties sought three deferrals to hold talks on the dispute.
Negotiating teams stayed late in Dublin’s High Court on Tuesday in an attempt to find a solution in a case that threatened to disturb the golfer’s preparations for the Masters.
In a brief statement issued in court, the two sides confirmed they had reached an agreement.
“The legal dispute between Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties who wish each other well for the future,” the statement said.
“The parties will be making no further comment.”
McIlroy was not in court on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old just needs to win the Masters to become only the sixth golfer in history, and the first from the British Isles, to win all of golf’s four majors — British Open, US Open, US Masters and US PGA.
If McIlroy, the reigning British Open and US PGA champion, dons the Green Jacket at Augusta National he will join the American quartet of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and South Africa’s Gary Player as the only golfers to have completed a career grand slam. — Sport 24
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