Rory and G-Mac make it up

Rory McIlroy has mended signs of a split in his relationship with long-time friend Graeme McDowell ahead of playing alongside one another in the BMW PGA Championship, which begins at Wentworth today.

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 Horizon’s Conor Ridge have each taken legal advice not to comment on the matter.

McIlroy yesterday acknowledged making the “Go ask G-Mac” remark, as reported in yesterday’s Irish Examiner , but stressed there is no problem with regards their relationship of some 15 years.

“I know what I said yesterday and I guess at the time I meant that, but it is what it is and it’s water under the bridge and away we go,” said McIlroy.

“I spoke to Graeme yesterday afternoon and when we got back to the hotel we had a chat. Everything’s good. So there won’t be any quid pro quo at the wrong time the next few days or any stuff like that.

“I’m great friends with Graeme. He’s 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.

“He really showed me the ropes out here for a couple of years, and it’s great to have good friends on Tour and he’s somebody I consider a very good friend.”

And while there remains uncertainty surrounding McIlroy’s business affairs the double Major winner indicated it is not distracting him from seeking his first win of the year.

“Not at all,” he declared.

“Once 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.”

Mending any break in his relationship with McDowell was a lot easier than the task facing Sergio Garcia, despite his “unreserved” apology to Tiger Woods over the Spaniard’s “fried chicken” comments at Tuesday night’s European Tour gala awards dinner.

“It wasn’t 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,” said a sombre-looking Garcia.

“I 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.”

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.

“Hopefully 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.” 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 year’s flagship BMW PGA Championship have ranged already from Ryder Cup wildcard picks, the anchoring ban, management break-ups and trans Atlantic player spats, Belfast’s Michael Hoey awaits the joy of becoming a father.

Hoey’s wife Liz is expecting the couple’s 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 week’s June 27-commencing Irish Open.

“Bev has studied medicine and that’s what she wants,” said Hoey. “So it’s going to be very exciting and it’s going to be a nice distraction having a baby than talking about my golf technique.”

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 ‘Burma Road’ looking to secure the €791,660 first prize cheque.