Rory McIlroy has confessed that parting company with manager Andrew "Chubby" Chandler was "a very difficult decision to make".
The world number three announced last month that he would be leaving Chandler's International Sports Management for Dublin-based Horizon.
Having been under the guidance of Chandler throughout his professional career, 22-year-old McIlroy revealed that it wasn't a decision he made lightly.
"Chubby has been there for me since day one," he told BBC Sport. "It was very difficult for me. I was very close to him and remain very close to him.
"It's a decision that I didn't take lightly. I had a lot of chats with my mum and dad.
"For four years, Chubby was the best guy and ISM were fantastic for me, but sometimes to progress you need to have a fresh view on things."
McIlroy won his first tournament under his new management team at the weekend.
