(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy is enjoying the best year of his fledgling golf career, but the U.S. Open champion is already making plans to spread his wings further. The 22-year-old announced on Friday that he is leaving the manager who helped turn him into potentially the next Tiger Woods, as he seeks to push himself to a new level. The world No. 3 is departing Andrew "Chubby" Chandler's International Sports Management, which looks after second-ranked Lee Westwood, Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and British Open champion Darren Clarke. He will link up with fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, at Dublin-based sports agency Horizon as he rejoins the PGA Tour next year.
@highlight
World No. 3 Rory McIlroy ends four-year association with manager Chubby Chandler
@highlight
U.S. Open champion decides to join compatriot Graeme McDowell at Horizon
@highlight
Chandler's company wishes McIlroy future success with his new agency
@highlight
Sergio Garcia takes two-shot lead at the halfway stage of Castello Masters
"I am now keen to move onto the next stage of my career and I feel this will be facilitated by a fresh view and a new structure around me," @placeholder said in a statement.