Rory and G-Mac make it up
McDowell had surprisingly lifted the lid last week in Bulgaria on McIlroy leaving the Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management, which had until then looked after the affairs of both players.
But while McDowell revealed his fellow US Open champion is soon to terminate his five-year contract after just 18 months into the agreement, it seems McIlroy and Horizonâs Conor Ridge have each taken legal advice not to comment on the matter.
McIlroy yesterday acknowledged making the âGo ask G-Macâ remark, as reported in yesterdayâs Irish Examiner , but stressed there is no problem with regards their relationship of some 15 years.
âI know what I said yesterday and I guess at the time I meant that, but it is what it is and itâs water under the bridge and away we go,â said McIlroy.
âI spoke to Graeme yesterday afternoon and when we got back to the hotel we had a chat. Everythingâs good. So there wonât be any quid pro quo at the wrong time the next few days or any stuff like that.
âIâm great friends with Graeme. Heâs been like a big brother to me on Tour. I remember playing practice rounds with him at the Dunhill Links back in 2007 when I got my card.
âHe really showed me the ropes out here for a couple of years, and itâs great to have good friends on Tour and heâs somebody I consider a very good friend.â
And while there remains uncertainty surrounding McIlroyâs business affairs the double Major winner indicated it is not distracting him from seeking his first win of the year.
âNot at all,â he declared.
âOnce I get on that first tee, my mind is focused on shooting the best score possible and that has not changed and that will never change.â
Mending any break in his relationship with McDowell was a lot easier than the task facing Sergio Garcia, despite his âunreservedâ apology to Tiger Woods over the Spaniardâs âfried chickenâ comments at Tuesday nightâs European Tour gala awards dinner.
âIt wasnât meant to be racist and I was just caught off guard and what seemed to be a funny question I tried to answer with a funny reply,â said a sombre-looking Garcia.
âI tried to contact Tiger but not having his number I contacted Mark Steinberg saying how sorry I was and that I would love to talk to Tiger as soon as possible and make sure everything is okay, and that honestly it was a bad comment that should not have been said.â
Garcia was asked if as a result of his comment and his desire to apologise to the 14-time Major-winning Woods that his long-time frosty relationship with the current world No 1 could, in fact, improve.
âHopefully that may happen but like I said before, I am terribly sorry for what happened and I am sure we can talk soon and I can apologise to him face-to-face, and move forward and forget about the whole thing.â said Garcia.
The European Tour later issued a statement declaring the matter to be closed, meaning Garcia will now escape any fine or suspension. And while the days leading into this yearâs flagship BMW PGA Championship have ranged already from Ryder Cup wildcard picks, the anchoring ban, management break-ups and trans Atlantic player spats, Belfastâs Michael Hoey awaits the joy of becoming a father.
Hoeyâs wife Liz is expecting the coupleâs first child in the third week of June, although Hoey revealing his wife will have the baby induced so that he will be ready to contest the following weekâs June 27-commencing Irish Open.
âBev has studied medicine and thatâs what she wants,â said Hoey. âSo itâs going to be very exciting and itâs going to be a nice distraction having a baby than talking about my golf technique.â
Hoey joined fellow Irishman Gareth Maybin in splitting last year from Horizon Sports and believes his wife will be able cope with having a baby and managing his off-course affairs.
Eleven Irishmen will tee-up this week on the famed âBurma Roadâ looking to secure the âŹ791,660 first prize cheque.






