Rory McIlroy’s announcement that he is taking a break from golf in order to prepare for his court case against his former management company will not hamper his trip to the UAE for the two tournaments on the Desert Swing next year, nor the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai later this November.
The world No1 has opted out of the first two events of the European Tour’s Final Series – the BMW Masters and the WGC-HSBC Golf Champions in Shanghai – but will play the DP World Tour Championship, where he is expected to be crowned the European No1 after winning the Race to Dubai, in which his lead over the second-placed Sergio Garcia is more than €3.1 million (Dh14.4m).
The dates for McIlroy’s legal proceedings against Horizon Sports is to be set for early February, and there was doubts over his participation in Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (January 15-18) and Omega Dubai Desert Classic (January 29-February 1).
For the past several years, McIlroy has spent time in December and early January holidaying and practicing in Dubai, and starts his season with the two UAE tournaments.
And organisers have confirmed they do not have any information to the contrary.
Greg Sproule, managing director, IMG Middle East, said: “As far as Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is concerned, we are not aware of any change of plans for Rory McIlroy. As of now, he is playing the tournament.”
McIlroy will then remain in the UAE during the week of the Qatar Masters, before playing the Dubai Desert Classic.
He will then go back to Dublin to attend the court hearing.
In a statement released yesterday, 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.”
McIlroy signed up with Horizon in late 2011, only to begin proceedings against them in 2013, alleging the contract to be “unconscionable” due to “excessive commissions”. Via a counter lawsuit, Horizon, instrumental in McIlroy’s reported contract with Nike worth $100 million (Dh367m), are citing breach of contract and loss of future commissions.
