Golf star Rory McIlroy holds last-ditch talks to avoid court case with former agent
TOP golfer Rory McIlroy is in last-minute talks with his former agent as both sides look to avoid a court case.
Rory McIlroy arrives at Dublin's high court
The world number one is suing Conor Ridge's Horizon Sports Management over the cut his firm was taking from his on and off course earnings, while the Dublin-based company is countersuing for outstanding fees.
A year and four months since the star challenged his ex-manager over the fees he was charging, negotiations were set to continue tonight before lawyers return to court at 11am tomorrow.
The star is suing Mr Ridge in a row over £4.2 million in fees.
But the divisive courtroom battle is expected to involve arguments over tens of millions of pounds in lost commissions and earnings from wins on the course and massive sponsorship deals.
The case was set to start at Dublin's High Court this afternoon, but Judge Brian Cregan agreed to allow further last-ditch talks between the two sides.
The court heard this morning that the two sides wanted time to negotiate and "narrow the issues".
After the first two hours of talks the judge was told that progress had been made and at 4pm he agreed to give both sides another night to work on the issues.
Mr McIlroy was in court, supported by business executive Barry Funston, who oversees the golfer's charitable work through the Rory McIlroy Foundation, and his cousin Brian McIlroy.
Mr Ridge was also present.
Rory McIlroy is suing his former agent
The only way to sort it out is to get a judge to come in and tell us what to do.