According to the Irish Independent, Rory McIlroy will take a break from golf to handle his legal problems against Horizon Sports Management (“Horizon”). Currently, McIlroy plans to skip the BMW Masters and the WGC-HBC Champions. He expects to be back in the game in late November when the World Tour Championship starts in Dubai.
In 2013, McIlroy brought a suit against his former management company Horizon, claiming that his agreement signed in 2011 was invalid due to alleged undue influence. He claimed that the company took advantage of his youth and lack of independent legal advice in signing the agreement. Horizon in response counter-claimed approximately $3 million for a breach of contract.
The court in Ireland where the suit is pending directed a mediation but the parties failed to resolve the issue on October 20, 2014. The trial is expected in February next year, and the trial schedule could affect his plans to play in Euro Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January.