RORY MCILROY HAS announced that he will take a break from golf to prepare for the upcoming trial with his former management company.

The Irish golfer, currently ranked number one in the world, is making a change to his playing schedule after what he has described as “an extraordinarily demanding year”.

McIlroy is suing former agents Horizon Sports Management in a dispute over fees, with a full hearing to take place next year after an agreement wasn’t reached during a mediation process in Dublin’s Commercial Court today.

McIlroy will not participate in the BMW Masters (October 30) or the WGC – HSBC Champions (November 3), both being held in China, meaning the next event he will be involved in is Dubai’s DP World Tour Championship in late November.

“I’m going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management,” Rory said in a statement released this evening.

“The court-directed mediation process failed over the weekend to resolve the issue.”

First published, 20 October, 7.35pm

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