McIlroy rubbishes talk of any rift with McDowell

Double Major winning Rory McIlroy has dismissed as "complete nonsense" the potential of any Gleneagles disharmony in suggestions he orchestrated the timing of a lawsuit to clash with the wedding of Graeme McDowell.

It came to light in court papers submitted to a commercial court in Dublin last month by Horizon Sports Management, and McIlroy’s former sports agency, who he is suing in an action which is threatening to become increasingly bitter.

The trial will not take place until next January, but it was feared there may be a Gleneagles Ryder Cup backlash if both players make Paul McGinley’s team.

Horizon Sports Management has claimed McIlroy issued legal proceedings against the agency on September 27, 2013 – a day before McDowell married Kristin Stape.

It is also claimed McIlroy’s team referred to McDowell’s marriage in emails as “D-Day”.

McIlroy’s team has denied this, insisting the “D-Day” references related to the day when the lawsuit would be filed and that the date was selected due to a “simple gap” that emerged in his busy schedule.

And after visiting Nike’s new performance facility yesterday, McIlroy played down any rift.

“I am still as close to him (McDowell),” said McIlroy to reporters.

“There’s obviously been a few things that have gone on that have strained the relationship, but I still talk to him regularly and catch up with him.

“He has stayed out of everything as much as he can and there’s no ill feeling towards him in any way from my side. He’s been one of my best friends on Tour and showed me the ropes. I will always be grateful for what he’s done and for going out of his way to make me feel comfortable out here.”

Asked by reporters if there was a danger of the lawsuit affecting Ryder Cup harmony, McIlroy replied: “It won’t. That is complete nonsense. GMac knows what is going on. It hasn’t affected our relationship.”