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McGinley: No Ryder Cup worries with Rory

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley doesn't expect Rory McIlroy to be affected by the lawsuit © Getty Images

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The lawsuit involving Rory McIlroy suing his former agent, Horizon Sports Management, has been recommended for mediation in Ireland's court system, according to reports.

In speaking to lawyers for both parties on Tuesday, Justice Brian McGovern said the court could stay the proceedings for a maximum of 28 days to allow for discussions of mediation or arbitration.

"The case has all sorts of sensitivities involving two players on tour, a manager of one of them and a former manager or agent of the other," McGovern said. "It has all sorts of complex issues involving relationship matters."

The judge added: "It seems to me to be a case made for the mediation process."

The additional complication involves soon-to-be former Horizon client Graeme McDowell, who is leaving the company at the end of the year, and McIlroy's discovery request of contracts and agreements regarding McDowell's business dealings with Horizon.

Lawyers from both sides said they will have to discuss the court's comments before any discussion of mediation talks could begin, according to reports.

In the lawsuit, McIlroy claims he was misled by Horizon and its leading agent, Conor Ridge, who were "primarily concerned with maximising their own share of any commission." The No.1 ranked golfer in the world also claims that McDowell received preferential treatment in his contracts with Horizon, when, according to McIlroy, he was told he would get the same terms.

McIlroy and McDowell have been long-time partners at the Ryder Cup, but European captain Paul McGinley isn't worried that the legal proceedings will hurt their chemistry when the biennial matches begin next week in Scotland.

"It's not a concern," McGinley told the Press Association. "It has been going for a year and both have had very strong years.

"Rory's had arguably his best year ever [winning two majors] and Graeme won the French Open. It has not affected their performance and both of them have assured me it's not going to affect anything in the team room. I would be very surprised if they don't play together, although I'm not going to write it in stone."

If the case is not resolved through mediation, it is expected to go to trial in February.

McIlroy recently won the PGA of America's Player of the Year Award for 2014 and is expected to earn the same distinction in two weeks from the PGA Tour on a vote by his peers.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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