McIlroy not affected by off course speculation

World number two Rory McIlroy insists the speculation about his off course future will not harm his chances of winning the European Tour's flagship event. McIlroy is at Wentworth to compete in the PGA Championship which starts on Thursday but rumours are sweeping golf that he is about to change management companies. According to reports the 24-year old is expected to split with his current representatives Dublin-based Horizon Sports and set up his own management company. The move would come just over a year after he left the powerful ISM agency that handles the affairs of Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke. McIlroy refused to discuss his future but is adamant that when he is on the course none of the rumours will affect his golf. McIlroy told reporters: "I can't really comment on speculation at this point. Obviously you guys know something is up - that's fair enough but I can't say much more. I don't want to put myself in a situation I don't want to be in "Once I get on that first tee my mind is focused on shooting the best score possible and that has not changed and that will never change. "I have been working hard on my game and practising hard and that is the number one priority for me - getting my game as good as it can be. There is a big summer of golf coming up. "There are a lot of events one after the other until the end of September and it is a time in the season when you have to knuckle down and play some good golf. I am determined to do that after the start I have had to the season." McIlory has yet to win this season but claims his game is in the best shape it has been for a while as he attempts to break his duck this year. He added: "From tee-to-green the last few weeks it has been the best it has been for a long time. It is just a matter of holing a few putts and if I can do that, get into contention and give myself chances to win tournaments then hopefully, sooner or later, I will walk through that door and get the first win of the season." McIlroy will play with his fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and Scotland's Paul Lawrie in the first two rounds here. And he reacted quickly to suggestions that he and McDowell had fallen out over his apparent plans to leave the management company they currently share. McIlroy said: "I spoke to Graeme and everything is good. I am great friends with Graeme - he has been a real big brother to me on tour. He really showed me the ropes out here for a couple of years." Defending champion Luke Donald is drawn with Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano whilst Lee Westwood will play with Ernie Els and Francesco Molinari. Source: AFP