McIlroy settles row with former sponsor

A legal dispute between Rory McIlroy and former sponsor Oakley has been settled.

The former world number one golfer and the US sportswear brand had been engaged in a legal wrangle since the start of the year after McIlroy decided to switch sponsorship to Nike.

Oakley had claimed it had the right to match any improved agreement with another company.

While no details of the settlement were released, the two sides issued a joint statement confirming the issue had been resolved.

“I always had an excellent working relationship with Oakley’s representatives and I am delighted the case is now behind me,” said the golfer.

Pat McIlvain, vice president of Oakley Sports Marketing, said: “We are very pleased the proceedings against Rory have been resolved. We enjoyed an excellent relationship with Rory as an Oakley brand ambassador. “He conducted all his engagements on our behalf with energy and professionalism. We recognise that, in his business dealings with us that were the subject matter of this dispute, Rory was represented by his agent.”

Earlier this month, McIlroy had said his legal worries had weighed on him during what has been a disappointing season.

“I’ve seen more lawyers’ offices and more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire life,” he said. “It’s not something I ever want to go through again, and I’m making sure that I won’t go through it again.”

In September he terminated his contract with Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management to form his own management company.

That acrimonious split has also reached the courts.