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McIlroy focus leads Hoey to quit agency

Michael Hoey has opted to manage his own matters © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy's controversial switch to Horizon Sports management has led to its first casualty, with Michael Hoey leaving the agency due in part to the focus on his compatriot.

McIlroy stole headlines late last year with his decision to leave International Sports Management, who had dealt with his affairs from the time he turned professional as a 17-year-old, in order to join Graeme McDowell at Conor Ridge's lower profile outfit.

McIlroy's US Open win opened up a huge number of commercial opportunities for the 22-year-old, with reports at the time suggesting the Northern Irishman believed a move to become the prized commodity at a smaller agency - rather than sharing Chubby Chandler's attentions with Lee Westwood at ISM - would increase the individual attention he received.

McDowell has been happy to play second fiddle to his close friend at Horizon but the switch has now brought its first casualty, with the emerging Hoey deciding to handle his own affairs after becoming frustrated with the increased focus on McIlroy.

Hoey has made a leap in the game in recent months - winning his first major event at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship late last year, before adding the Trophee Hassan II last weekend to rise to No. 74 in the world rankings.

"I was in a business relationship with Horizon but I feel I was not benefitting from any business in the arrangement as much as I could have been," Hoey said, according to the Irish Herald. "We all know economies around the world are tight and none more so in Ireland with regards to sponsors.

"But in fairness to Conor, he was very good to me especially in finding sponsorship when I started out on the Challenge Tour. He also managed to pull plenty of strings when Gareth Maybin and myself represented Ireland at the World Cup qualifier in Aruba.

"It was more beneficial to me back then but times have changed for me.

"I have been thinking about if for some time and it's not as though I'm dropping Conor without any notice. But with Rory now on board and playing more in the States their management has changed and altered."

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