Hoey now looking beyond Horizon

Michael Hoey last night confirmed his departure from the Horizon Sports agency.

The Belfast-born golfer admitted he felt the capture of Rory McIlroy had “changed and altered” the management structure at the Dublin company.

Hoey explained: “I was in a business relationship with Horizon but I feel I was not benefiting from any business as much as I could have been. We all know economies around the world are tight, and none more so in Ireland, with regards to securing sponsors.

“But in fairness to Conor (Ridge) he was very good to me especially in finding sponsorship when I started out on the Challenge Tour.

“He also managed to pull plenty of strings when Gareth Maybin and myself represented Ireland at the World Cup qualifier in Aruba.

“But it was more beneficial to me back then. But times have changed for me.”

Hoey and his wife, Bev will now oversee all of the player’s affairs.

“As it is, Bev looks after all my personal finance matters so she will continue to do that aspect of my golf. So I have been thinking about it for some time and it’s not as though I am dropping Conor without any notice.

“But with Rory now on board and playing more in the States, their management has changed and altered,” he added.

“He’s going to require more attention and focus than me and I understand that.

“And in many ways Bev has been my agent and I’m lucky to have her organising my affairs.”