McIlroy and Horizon: Not the trial of the century – more a trial of 37 seconds

Not so much the trial of the century, then. More the trial of the 37 seconds. That was the amount of time it took from the opening all-rise to the closing all-rise, in between which Paul Gallagher SC informed the court that all was well in the world and that Rory McIlroy and Conor Ridge would be lacing daisies into each other's hair by the end of lunch.

Okay, maybe not quite. The postman’s satchel won’t be burdened with Valentines shuttling between McIlroy and Ridge this year. But however amicable or otherwise the settlement might be, a settlement it is. Smiles all round, with only us scandal-monkeys in the press gallery walking away disappointed.

At least there were smiles all-round on the Horizon bench. Ridge was there with his team and some friends and once Judge Cregan called an end to proceedings, they melted into hugs of relief. The settlement is rumoured to run into tens of millions – beyond $25m was the number whispered around the place come lunchtime.

Whatever the figure, Horizon Sports Management has a secure future and Ridge himself can get on with his life.

The sole inarguable fact of the legal struggle between McIlroy and Horizon was that the outcome wouldn’t cause much of a dent in the golfer’s future wealth and ability to earn.

The same could not be said for Horizon. Had the case gone the full distance and the judgement gone against him, Ridge’s future would have looked intolerably bleak. So little wonder he hugged it out.

Two rows further forward in Court Number One, the bench occupied by McIlroy and his team on the first day of proceedings was empty. Having stayed in the Four Courts until nine o’clock on Tuesday night to work out the nuts and bolts - looking significantly more haggard on his departure than he did when he arrived 11 hours earlier, it must be said - the world’s best golfer decided against a repeat appearance.

Instead, it was left to his senior counsel Mr Gallagher to update Judge Brian Cregan on where we stood. "The parties are very grateful for the time the court allowed them," said Gallagher. "The entire case has been resolved. We don't require any order."

And that was that. Done and dusted. No more juicy bones for the press to chaw on, no more peeks behind the curtain of high-end professional sport. Had the case gone ahead, we’d have learned a lot about how deals are done, how money is made, the whys and wherefores of all the filthy lucre sloshing around the sports world.

But they went and worked it out like adults. Spoilsports.

“Thank you Mr Gallagher,” said Judge Cregan. “I would like to congratulate both parties on settling what would undoubtedly have been a long case. And I wish the defendants every success in their sports agency business in the future. And I would also like to wish Mr McIlroy every success in his future.”

As Judge Cregan left, a joint statement was handed out to the press. McIlroy and Ridge were united for the final time, coming together to say nothing with one voice. “The legal dispute between Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties who wish each other well for the future. The parties will be making no further comment.”

It was left to Ridge to run the gauntlet of photographers and cameramen outside the steps and down the quays. He wouldn’t - couldn’t - say much to the press before he left the court building but he did let us in on his immediate plans. He was going for a drink with his legal team.

We can assume he was buying.