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.
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.
Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.
PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole
Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.
Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.
Henley’s Suitcase
- Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
- Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
- Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
- Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
- Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype
LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!
Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.
Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.
Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Celine’s Suitcase
- Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
- Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
- Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
- Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
- Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS
DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!
Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.
Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.
Kaneko’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping Max G440
- Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
- Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
- Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7
Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro
Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.
The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.
Alvaro’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
- Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
- Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
- Wedges
- Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C
A party on the green!
Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026
LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.
Niemann’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping 440 LST
- Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
- Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
- Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
- Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Ping PLD Anser
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
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.