RORY McILROY says he remains “very close” to the man he dropped as his manager last month and insists there was “nothing personal at all” in the move that stunned golf.
Northern Ireland’s US Open champion walked out of the ISM stable which had four of the last six Major winners, plus world number two Lee Westwood, to join Dublin-based Horizon.
“It’s a decision I didn’t take lightly,” said McIlroy on the eve of this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
“I thought long and hard about it and had a lot of chats with my mum and dad. Sometimes to go forward in your career you just need to make decisions.”
McIlroy told ISM boss Andrew “Chubby” Chandler he was leaving prior to last week’s Shanghai Masters, where he then scooped the biggest first prize in the sport – €1.4 million – after a play-off with American Anthony Kim.
“For four years I felt Chubby was the best guy and ISM were fantastic for me, but sometimes to progress you need to have a fresh view on things. It’s about me trying to play my best golf and that’s all there is to it.
“I feel like a new environment around me might enable me to play even better and I feel like I’m moving on to the next stage of my career.
“Chubby’s been there for me since day one and it was very difficult for me. I remain very close to him – it was a purely business decision and nothing personal at all.I’ve got all the time in the world for Chubby and everyone involved at ISM.”
On Tuesday, McIlroy bumped into his former manager on the range at the Sheshan Golf Club and there appeared to be no hard feelings between the two men.
“We’ve both already moved on,” said Chandler. “We shared a laugh and a couple of jokes, had a chat and were fine, just like I knew we would be. I wish Rory nothing but the best.”
McIlroy’s former ISM stablemate Lee Westwood was quick to praise Chandler’s stewardship when asked to comment on McIlroy’s departure.
“The service that they have given me has been very good,” said the world number two from England.
“I think it is important you have somebody that you can get on with as a manager.
On McIlroy’s decision to leave ISM he added: “I was pretty surprised, but not completely shocked. He has always kind of done his own thing.”
Last week’s event did not count towards the European money list, but this week’s world championship does and, with world number one Luke Donald pulling out to await the birth of his second daughter, McIlroy can cut his lead at the top from €1.3 million to €470,000.
The 22-year-old still has the Hong Kong Open at the start of December and the following week’s Dubai World Championship to come, but Donald will be back for the second of those.
