So the rumours seem to be true. In what is proving an eventful year for the Irish man, McIlroy is reportedly walking away from his current management company, Horizon Sports Management. In so doing it ends his 18 month affiliation with them and also weeks of speculation that such a move was imminent.

The world number 2 has decided to set up his own company  with his father, Gerry, taking a lead role along with other close friends. This will be the 3rd management move for McIlroy in nearly 4 years and continues a trend of the world’s leading sports stars, such as Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi and Roger Federer, taking closer control of their own affairs.

Heading into a crucial time in the golfing season the timing of such a move is dubious to say the least. Next week’s BMW Championship at Wentworth is the European tours flagship event and carries a prize fund of 5 million euro. With the second and third majors of the year coming up in consecutive months, McIlroy will have his work cut out to ignore the obvious distractions that will inevitably come with today’s news.