Rory McIlroy has revealed that he will be forced to sit out two big-money tournaments because of an ongoing legal dispute with his old management company.
The 25-year-old, who has four Major titles to his name, is suing his former agent Horizon Sports Management and two other companies - Gurteen Limited and Canovan Management Services.
Today it was announced that no agreement had been reached between McIlroy and Horizon despite mediation talks and that the case would proceed to a full hearing next February.
"I'm going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management," Inpendent.ie quotes the Northern Irishman as saying.
It is believed that McIlroy will sit out the upcoming big-money BMW Masters and WGC-HSBC Champions events in China and will return to action at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on November 20.