Rory McIlroy’s battle with former management company, Horizon Sports heads to the courts on Monday.

A preliminary hearing is listed for hearing at 9am next Monday under a Judge Kelly at the Commercial Division of the High Court in Dublin.

The former World No. 1 announced last month he was splitting from Horizon Sports Management and setting up his own company – Rory McIlroy Incorporated (RMI) to handle his affairs, with his father, Gerry, taking an important role.

Later the same day the 24-year-old’s legal team at A&L Goodbody lodged papers in the High Court in Dublin.

But while McIlroy will lodge a ‘Statement of Claim’ Horizon will be seeking compensation from McIlroy, as he ended his five-year contract after just two years.

The two-time major champion paid €5m (£4.1m) to Horizon in just 18 months before deciding to exit the contract.

It is believed the double Major Champion was deeply unhappy with some of the terms of the contract, despite the fact that he willingly signed up to it in the first place.

McIlroy is reportedly paying up to one-fifth in commission on certain earnings and felt that this was too excessive.

Horizon’s Conor Ridge is in Portugal to oversee the efforts of clients Shane Lowry and Ross Fisher but naturally would not discuss matters off the course.  

Lowry missed the cut in the defence of his Portugal Masters title with poor rounds of 70 and 71 for a one under par tally.

Three players – the England duo of David Lynn (65) and Paul Waring (64) along with South African Hennie Otto (63) – share the lead by a shot on 12-under par.