McIlroy settles multi-million-pound case with ex-agents ahead of US Masters

Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy settled a multi-million pounds case with his former management company on Wednesday, just a day after proceedings opened at Dublin's High Court and sparred himself a protracted legal battle ahead of the Masters in April. The world number one golfer had sued Conor Ridge's Horizon Sports Management company, who in turn counter-sued the Northern Irishman over the terms of an agreement he struck with the firm in 2011.

After proceedings opened on Tuesday, lawyers for both parties sought three deferrals to hold talks on the dispute, with negotiating teams staying late in Dublin's High Court on Tuesday in an attempt to find a solution in a case that threatened to disturb McIlroy's preparations for the Masters, Sport24 reported. In a brief statement issued in court, the two sides confirmed that they had reached an agreement.

The statement claimed that the legal dispute between McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties who wish each other well for the future, adding that the parties would be making no further comment.

McIlroy, who was not in court on Wednesday, just needs to win the Masters to become only the sixth golfer in history, and the first from the British Isles, to win all of golf's four majors - British Open, US Open, US Masters and US PGA, the report added.