Rory going solo

TheRoomWrecker

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mcilroy-set-to-go-out-on-his-own-29273764.html

when I first read that he was leaving horizon I instantly thought Tigers team (Mark Steinberg) was moving in on him. But his own team of Family and friends ??? looks a bad move to me.

Jazzzman

Interesting.

Not sure about letting the old man take the reigns though.

slave1

I think Rory needs to tackle his game and be on top of that, I can't see him walking away from deeper involvement if his management team is close to home. Shame, he's becoming an example of corporate greed in many ways with his golfing playing second or third fiddle. Shame.

Derek Zoolander

slave1 wrote: »

I think Rory needs to tackle his game and be on top of that, I can't see him walking away from deeper involvement if his management team is close to home. Shame, he's becoming an example of corporate greed in many ways with his golfing playing second or third fiddle. Shame.

Not sure how he's an example of corporate greed to be honest. He jumped ship from ISM to Horizon apparently because he wanted personalised focus. ISM are certainly more visible in a corporate sense than Horizon - just look at the number of ads Westwood and Clarke appear in...

I think golf is probably the reason he's thinking of making a change. He's obvioulsy not happy with his game and had to change his schedule already adding events because of form. Tricky one to assess but I don't think greed is in any way the determining factor if he does move

GreeBo

I reckon that with family at the reigns they can all focus on whats best for Rory and forget about money etc.

realgolfgeek

GreeBo wrote: »

I reckon that with family at the reigns they can all focus on whats best for Rory and forget about money etc.

Even though I'm not fond of the chap, me thinks you're right.
He's had a lot of changes in the last couple of years, with the girlfriend, change of management company, new clubs, nike commitments, and now this. Hopefully he'll concentrate on the golf as a priority now and show us the great game he's capable of.

mike12

I think the reason he is going is to get away from people wanting to make money out of him. He has all the cash he can ever want but the only way a managment company can make more money off him is to get him to do more adds, more coporate days, more crappy appearances at tournaments he does not want to be at.
With his Dad in charge it will be all about the golf not the money.

Mike

loadwire

interesting article on it on IrishGolfDesk

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2013/5/17/legal-minefield-in-alleged-mcilroy-horizon-split.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IrishGolfDesk+%28Irish+Golf+Desk%29

SnowDrifts

A tweet from James Corrigan, golf correspondent for the daily telegraph:

James Corrigan ‏@jcorrigangolf

"Would be stunned if @McIlroyRory is leaving Horizon - after he looked me in the eyes last week and insisted that he wasn't"

PARlance

SnowDrifts wrote: »

A tweet from James Corrigan, golf correspondent for the daily telegraph:

James Corrigan ‏@jcorrigangolf

"Would be stunned if @McIlroyRory is leaving Horizon - after he looked me in the eyes last week and insisted that he wasn't"

Find that very funny, maybe I'm reading it wrong, but is he more stunned with the fact that Rory would lie to him rather than the decision itself.

Millions at stake here James, forgive Rory for looking you in the eyes and deciding not to let you know all the inner workings and secrets.

big_drive

Terrible not to tell a journalist the truth

Goldenjohn

http://www.golfbytourmiss.com/2013/05/graeme-dowell-confirming-saddened-by-rory-mcilroy-leaving-horizon-sports-management/

themont85

McIllroy is still a kid but the number of rash decisions seemingly based on emotion with him on and off the course would really worry me.

His talent and clear effort has won him 2 Majors but I really think he needs to get his head together if he is to reach his potential.

- He broke up with his GF only 2 weeks after getting back with her to get with a tennis star he just met
- In 18 months he's had 2 Management companies which he's fired
- He walked off the Honda Classic when the chips were down
- We all know about the 2011 Masters
- He said he'd join the European Tour after a few beers winning the Ryder Cup, he backed out a few months later
- Some of his media comments, the Open Weather fiasco, the Irish Open twitter outburst ect
- His handling of the Olympic thing has been awful with rash off the cuff comments alienating people and also adding pressure onto himself

He lives life in the public eye but there just seems to be a pattern with him of rash decisions and being over emotional.

Obviously the Tiger thing came down like a house of cards but in his early years he was masterful in his general public conduct and the way he handled the media (save for some poor behaviour on the course). Maybe it makes McIllroy more human in that his career thus far has not being as crafted as well behind the scenes, but he comes across pretty poorly professionally speaking imo.

vienne86

Well, it's his choice, and maybe having his Da on the job will keep him removed from some of the promotional stuff. It will be very tricky if they fall out thoug ....mind you, the family seem to travel with him a lot anyway, and they seem to get on well. Time will tell.

Johnny_Fontane

mike12 wrote: »

I think the reason he is going is to get away from people wanting to make money out of him. He has all the cash he can ever want but the only way a managment company can make more money off him is to get him to do more adds, more coporate days, more crappy appearances at tournaments he does not want to be at.
With his Dad in charge it will be all about the golf not the money.

Mike

I would have thought the opposite. He's only sponsored by Nike now. He doesnt have to do any of the above. He only has to work for them.

DuckSlice

am i the only one that doesnt like mcillroy?

rollotomasi

etxp wrote: »

am i the only one that doesnt like mcillroy?

+1

Creasy_bear

Goldenjohn wrote: »

http://www.golfbytourmiss.com/2013/05/graeme-dowell-confirming-saddened-by-rory-mcilroy-leaving-horizon-sports-management/

Of course he's saddened.....doesn't he own something like 25% if horizon?
Every dollar Rory makes, he's making money.

Leslie91

I think it's a silly decision. Having said that if Horizon are responsible for his PR then they've been asleep at the wheel with what's been going on this last year or so. The Olympics BS should have been nipped in the bud day 1, and the Honda Classic thing was a complete mess. Rory might be the boss but someone has to be there to stop him shooting himself in the foot. I wonder about JP too, could he not have stopped the Honda walk off?

ssbob

Leslie91 wrote: »

I think it's a silly decision. Having said that if Horizon are responsible for his PR then they've been asleep at the wheel with what's been going on this last year or so. The Olympics BS should have been nipped in the bud day 1, and the Honda Classic thing was a complete mess. Rory might be the boss but someone has to be there to stop him shooting himself in the foot. I wonder about JP too, could he not have stopped the Honda walk off?

Maybe he could have but I think JP is doing a good job with Rory. Seems to influence when Rory is lacking form and gets tourneys added etc....

BoardsMember

It's a weird one alright. Would not have thought that his Dad was best placed to take over his management. From what I hear, his judgement could be described as dubious at best, considering the product of a rumored recent indiscretion. I'd be very surprised if he ends up the man to take over the careful and responsible management of Rory's career.

Russman

In some ways though Rory's career wouldn't be the most complicated to manage. Its not like he has to chase sponsors to survive. He has a limited number of so called "prestige" sponsors, and by all accounts, the last deal announced a few weeks ago is the last one for a while. OK, I'm being a little overly simplistic, but basically all it will be is scheduling his travel and corporate days and paying the bills

mag

BoardsMember wrote: »

considering the product of a rumored recent indiscretion.

eh?

vienne86

etxp wrote: »

am i the only one that doesnt like mcillroy?

I like him OK, but I know lots of people who don't.

ssbob

Russman wrote: »

In some ways though Rory's career wouldn't be the most complicated to manage. Its not like he has to chase sponsors to survive. He has a limited number of so called "prestige" sponsors, and by all accounts, the last deal announced a few weeks ago is the last one for a while. OK, I'm being a little overly simplistic, but basically all it will be is scheduling his travel and corporate days and paying the bills

Overly simplistic for definite, what abotu negotiating appearance fee's, a good negotiator could be the difference of a couple of hundred thousand, over the course of a career that could be millions. Also do you want an amatuer who is going to burn bridges.

I can understand why Rory is doing this, but I personally feel that it may not be his wisest decision. Hopefully it works out for him.

I like him.:D

GreeBo

mag wrote: »

eh?

BoardsMember wrote: »

From what I hear, his judgement could be described as dubious at best, considering the product of a rumored recent indiscretion.

I'd strongly advise against spreading rumours or posting something that somebody with a multi-million dollar profile might find libelous.

Also, if you do you, will be banned from this forum and possibly the whole site.

GreeBo

ssbob wrote: »

Overly simplistic for definite, what abotu negotiating appearance fee's, a good negotiator could be the difference of a couple of hundred thousand, over the course of a career that could be millions. Also do you want an amatuer who is going to burn bridges.

I guess the point is that it would be pretty difficult to mess up his career at this stage, no matter what anyone does he has a butt-load of cash and is only going to win more.

ssbob

GreeBo wrote: »

I guess the point is that it would be pretty difficult to mess up his career at this stage, no matter what anyone does he has a butt-load of cash and is only going to win more.

No way do I agree with this, I am taking an extreme version but look at John Daly, I mean a few years ago he was nearly broke! When he won the PGA Championship people were saying the same about him, he needed firm management to keep him from going off the rails, this didn't happen at the time.

Rory needs a good solid structure which he may get from family and friends but they are going to be very unexperienced at the start. Let's hope that they(he) don't get exploited.

GreeBo

ssbob wrote: »

No way do I agree with this, I am taking an extreme version but look at John Daly, I mean a few years ago he was nearly broke! When he won the PGA Championship people were saying the same about him, he needed firm management to keep him from going off the rails, this didn't happen at the time.

Rory needs a good solid structure which he may get from family and friends but they are going to be very unexperienced at the start. Let's hope that they(he) don't get exploited.

Yeah but Daly was pissing away all his money and also had personal issues which meant he wasnt winning anything with his golf.

I dont think Rory is going to have any problems living off his golf winnings (if necessary) and thus unless he starts turning up in Nazi uniforms and burning crosses the sponsors will come, ok he might only get 50m instead of 60m because of his dads negotiating skills...but meah...how bad?

soundsham

I wonder is there any possibility the young man knows what's best for himself ?

MungoMan

etxp wrote: »

am i the only one that doesnt like mcillroy?

I like him, and I'm proud of him, and amazed by his talent.

He's right to leave his management company. Management companies exist to make profit off people like Rory. They are not in it for the good of their health. The management company wont be happy to lose someone who would make them millions.


I remember a few months ago, Rory was playing badly, and he quit mid-round, because of some problem with a wisdom tooth

I remember the management company released a statement saying that "they didnt know why Rory quit, because "he wasnt answering his phone"

I remember thinking, he's paying all this money to a management company, and they wont even tell a white lie for him !

ssbob

GreeBo wrote: »

Yeah but Daly was pissing away all his money and also had personal issues which meant he wasnt winning anything with his golf.

I dont think Rory is going to have any problems living off his golf winnings (if necessary) and thus unless he starts turning up in Nazi uniforms and burning crosses the sponsors will come, ok he might only get 50m instead of 60m because of his dads negotiating skills...but meah...how bad?

I'll agree to disagree here.........could argue more but not in the mood:(

First Up

Leslie91 wrote: »

I think it's a silly decision. Having said that if Horizon are responsible for his PR then they've been asleep at the wheel with what's been going on this last year or so. The Olympics BS should have been nipped in the bud day 1, and the Honda Classic thing was a complete mess. Rory might be the boss but someone has to be there to stop him shooting himself in the foot. I wonder about JP too, could he not have stopped the Honda walk off?

I was happy when he left IMG because I think there is a laddish culture in that stable that was bad for him. However Ridge & Co seem to have mainly been interested in milking his deal with Nike to the maximum extent. In my opinion that was a terrible decision - McIlroy has sold his soul to Nike and the off-course commitments (e.g making video games and TV adverts with Woods) as well as the equipment change has knocked him way back. Maybe his parting with Horizon is his way of expressing displeasure at being poorly advised. (he would have been rich anyway.)

Having said that, I really doubt an amateur team led by his Dad is the solution. As for JP - forget it.

ForeRight

Based on all the experts on here I'm surprised rory didnt just hire someone from here seen as you all seem to know what's best for him.

mag

ssbob wrote: »

No way do I agree with this, I am taking an extreme version but look at John Daly, I mean a few years ago he was nearly broke! When he won the PGA Championship people were saying the same about him, he needed firm management to keep him from going off the rails, this didn't happen at the time.

david duvals recent financial problems too

GreeBo

mag wrote: »

david duvals recent financial problems too

Again though his game left him, if Rory loses his golf game then its a very different problem than "how do I spend all this money?".

First Up

ForeRight wrote: »

Based on all the experts on here I'm surprised rory didnt just hire someone from here seen as you all seem to know what's best for him.

Not sure I would claim to know what's best for him but I'm fairly confident I know what isn't.
Maybe people who don't have a financial stake in it are more objective than some of those who do?

BoardsMember

GreeBo wrote: »

I'd strongly advise against spreading rumours or posting something that somebody with a multi-million dollar profile might find libelous.

Also, if you do you, will be banned from this forum and possibly the whole site.

Understood loud and clear, no intention of starting or spreading any rumors at all.

Keano

ForeRight wrote: »

Based on all the experts on here I'm surprised rory didnt just hire someone from here seen as you all seem to know what's best for him.

Having a discussion on a forum... Imagine that!

ForeRight

Keano A Legend wrote: »

Having a discussion on a forum... Imagine that!

Maybe the people who know him best are best placed to decide what is the best way for him to go that's all I'm saying

themont85

Rory's public utterings have been questionable for a lot longer than when he was with Horizon. He just has a natural ability to shoot himself in the foot. He is headstrong and seems to enjoy talking to the media, leading to several really stupid comments. It's also not just in front of the media, remember his tweets following the Irish open.

Do people really think surrounding himself with "yes men" will improve that?

themont85

First Up wrote: »

I was happy when he left IMG because I think there is a laddish culture in that stable that was bad for him. However Ridge & Co seem to have mainly been interested in milking his deal with Nike to the maximum extent. In my opinion that was a terrible decision - McIlroy has sold his soul to Nike and the off-course commitments (e.g making video games and TV adverts with Woods) as well as the equipment change has knocked him way back. Maybe his parting with Horizon is his way of expressing displeasure at being poorly advised. (he would have been rich anyway.)

Having said that, I really doubt an amateur team led by his Dad is the solution. As for JP - forget it.

People said the reason Rory decided to go on the European Tour was prompted by Chubby Chandler and he blamed him for the decision. But McIlroy made that decision himself after a few beers with his Ryder Cup teammates and quickly reversed it.

All comments about him are that he makes his own decisions and is headstrong, but he is quick to blame others when he makes bad ones.

mag

GreeBo wrote: »

Again though his game left him, if Rory loses his golf game then its a very different problem than "how do I spend all this money?".

it happens & i would be fearful that rory could be injury prone due to the pressures of his swing...

ssbob

mag wrote: »

it happens & i would be fearful that rory could be injury prone due to the pressures of his swing...

Not at all an expert on this but you often hear Denis Pugh and Simon Holmes talking about the likelyhood of Dustin Johnson being injury prone but have never heard them mention it about Rory.

But I suppose if he loses any bit of that youthful flexibility then he will struggle to generate the power!!

Russman

ssbob wrote: »

Not at all an expert on this but you often hear Denis Pugh and Simon Holmes talking about the likelyhood of Dustin Johnson being injury prone but have never heard them mention it about Rory.

But I suppose if he loses any bit of that youthful flexibility then he will struggle to generate the power!!

True enough, but I reckon his swing will probably naturally evolve as his body changes/grows/stiffens etc. eg compare Sergio's swing now to 10 years ago and the lag he used to generate. Or even the way Ernie now swings it.

GreeBo

mag wrote: »

it happens & i would be fearful that rory could be injury prone due to the pressures of his swing...

Possibly alright, but then I think his management team is the least of his worries?

I dont think he will ever be in the situation where he is thinking "if I only I made more money out of golf before I got injured"

First Up

ssbob wrote: »

Not at all an expert on this but you often hear Denis Pugh and Simon Holmes talking about the likelyhood of Dustin Johnson being injury prone but have never heard them mention it about Rory.

But I suppose if he loses any bit of that youthful flexibility then he will struggle to generate the power!!

He could usefully trade some of that flexibility for an improved performance with the putter.

saintastic

First Up wrote: »

as well as the equipment change has knocked him way back.

I don't think the equipment change is holding him back nor is he "way back". I know you can find a stat for anything these days but McIlroy is no. 3 in the "All-Around Ranking" on the PGA Tour. He putted poorly at TPC and Augusta and if he had putted anyway decently he would have been there or thereabouts.

He is 3rd in the above stat and has gone 2nd, 25th, 10th and 8th in his last four events. His game is there, it's just a case of putting it altogether over 4 days.

First Up

We can argue about the degree but it is indisputable that his level of performance, results and world ranking have declined since he joined Nike. It is impossible to attribute exact reasons but my guess is that he simply took on too many off course commitments that distracted him from the important stuff. The equipment change is part of that, as is being in the ridiculous position of competing with Woods while at the same time working with him on the commercial stuff. Woods has been far better able to deal with that dichotomy.
Rory is like a kid in a candy shop, with nobody reminding him to brush his teeth.

First Up

saintastic wrote: »

I don't think the equipment change is holding him back nor is he "way back". I know you can find a stat for anything these days but McIlroy is no. 3 in the "All-Around Ranking" on the PGA Tour. He putted poorly at TPC and Augusta and if he had putted anyway decently he would have been there or thereabouts.

He is 3rd in the above stat and has gone 2nd, 25th, 10th and 8th in his last four events. His game is there, it's just a case of putting it altogether over 4 days.

And all of these guys have the game. It is always about putting it together for four days. That's what separates those at the top from those who lose their cards.

First Up

Talking of statistics, it is interesting to look at a few more of Rory's (PGA Tour). While he is 7th in driving distance and 5th in GIR, he is 117th in driving accuracy and - as a result - 90th in "proximity to the hole", with an average of just over 36 feet. Not exactly birdie opportunities. So on most holes he is making a good long first putt to avoid a 3 putt, or failing to make birdies because he is just too far away.

So it is facile to say "if he putted better". His real problem is not being in birdie range often enough. Now given his obvious talent, if that doesn't suggest equipment problems (technical or mental) I don't know what does.