(Image by Mark Shierbecker/Wikimedia)

By Donal Lucey

The first major of the season, the Masters, is just nine weeks away but world number 1 Rory Mcilroy must first face a tough battle in the High Court.

The multi-million euro case involving the golfer and the Horizon management firm was set to begin this morning but has been further deferred until 11am.

Fresh from his weekend victory in Dubai, Mcilroy is suing his former management company and is in turn being counter-sued by them after an acrimonious split in 2013.

McIlroy joined Horizon’s stable of golfers – which also included fellow-major champion Graeme McDowell – in December 2011 and, in March 2013, he signed an extended contract that would take him up to 2017.

But Mcilroy now claims that he was just 22 when he signed with the firm, without the benefit of legal advice and for this reason the agreement must be unenforceable. The defendants deny his claims and estimate they are owed up to $9 million.

Barring a deal being struck McIlroy will be in court but it is likely to be Thursday at the earliest before the world No1 takes to the witness box.

Stay tuned to thecity.ie for any further updates on the case.