McIlroy splits from PR firm

London - Former world number one Rory McIlroy confirmed Friday he has left Horizon Sports Management to create his own management company.

McIlroy denied speculation in May he was going to go it alone only for Ryder Cup partner Graeme McDowell to say a few days later the two-time major-winner had in fact decided on his second management change since October 2011.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman left the long-established International Management Group (IMG) just four months after winning his first major championship, the US Open and joined McDowell at Horizon.

But a statement on McIlroy's own website confirmed the split, saying: "Rory McIlroy today confirmed he has terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management and that the details of the termination are in the hands of a legal team....in Dublin, Ireland.

"The golfer's business interests will from now on be managed by Rory McIlroy Incorporated. CEO of RMI will be Donal Casey, an actuary by profession with many years of CEO experience.

"The Rory Foundation for charity will be run by Barry Funston, a business leader and longtime friend of the McIlroy family. Both men will serve on the RMI Board, together with Gerry McIlroy (Rory's father)."

Towards the end of 2012, McIlroy changed clubs and joined up with US sports goods giant Nike in a multi-million pounds deal much criticised by British golf great Nick Faldo.

McIlroy, currently taking part in the ongoing European Tour event at St Andrews, Scotland, failed to qualify for the Tour Championship on the US PGA Tour last week.

Henrik Stenson's victory took the Swede to fourth in the world rankings and knocked McIlroy down to sixth place.

jdg/nr