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| Rory McIlroy close to tears over break-up with Caroline Wozniacki | Rory McIlroy close to tears over break-up with Caroline Wozniacki |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Rory McIlroy has admitted how problematic it will be to refocus on his career after the news that the golfer has called off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki. | Rory McIlroy has admitted how problematic it will be to refocus on his career after the news that the golfer has called off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki. |
| A statement issued early on Wednesday confirmed the break-up, less than five months after sport’s most famous couple announced they were to marry. McIlroy had gone so far as to issue invitations at the weekend for the lavish occasion, planned for New York in early November, before his U-turn. | A statement issued early on Wednesday confirmed the break-up, less than five months after sport’s most famous couple announced they were to marry. McIlroy had gone so far as to issue invitations at the weekend for the lavish occasion, planned for New York in early November, before his U-turn. |
| A clearly shaken McIlroy addressed the media as scheduled at Wentworth later on Wednesday morning, as a preview for the BMW PGA Championship. He appeared on close to tears when discussing the latest turmoil in his life. | A clearly shaken McIlroy addressed the media as scheduled at Wentworth later on Wednesday morning, as a preview for the BMW PGA Championship. He appeared on close to tears when discussing the latest turmoil in his life. |
| “I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be very difficult,” said the Northern Irishman when asked how he can turn his attention back towards golf. “But you know, at least when I get inside the ropes, I will just try and concentrate on the shot at hand. But yes, it’s obviously going to be difficult. | “I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be very difficult,” said the Northern Irishman when asked how he can turn his attention back towards golf. “But you know, at least when I get inside the ropes, I will just try and concentrate on the shot at hand. But yes, it’s obviously going to be difficult. |
| “Look, I think I’m no different than anyone else. Everyone has been through break-ups and it’s obviously very, very difficult.” | “Look, I think I’m no different than anyone else. Everyone has been through break-ups and it’s obviously very, very difficult.” |
| In the statement, issued by McIlroy’s management company, the 25-year-old revealed he felt now was too soon to be making a marital commitment. “There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people,” McIlroy explained. “The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. | In the statement, issued by McIlroy’s management company, the 25-year-old revealed he felt now was too soon to be making a marital commitment. “There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people,” McIlroy explained. “The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. |
| “I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had.” | “I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we’ve had.” |
| McIlroy, a two-times major champion, has drifted to No10 in the world rankings. He was last seen in public with Wozniacki at the Masters in April, where the Dane – complete with dyed pink hair – caddied for her fiancee at the Par Three contest. | McIlroy, a two-times major champion, has drifted to No10 in the world rankings. He was last seen in public with Wozniacki at the Masters in April, where the Dane – complete with dyed pink hair – caddied for her fiancee at the Par Three contest. |
| As recently as Sunday, McIlroy had tweeted a photo of the dinner setting for him and Wozniacki in Monte Carlo. His decision to play in this week’s Wentworth event was heavily linked to Wozniacki’s tennis schedule bringing her to Europe. The pair had spent time shopping and at a show in London last week, after Wozniacki withdrew from the Rome Masters. | |
| “It is obviously quite a difficult time for Caroline and myself and I think the statement really said it all,” McIlroy added. “It was mutual and amicable and we both thought it was the best for us, the best for both of us. It’s time to move on and I think I’ve said all that I need to say. | “It is obviously quite a difficult time for Caroline and myself and I think the statement really said it all,” McIlroy added. “It was mutual and amicable and we both thought it was the best for us, the best for both of us. It’s time to move on and I think I’ve said all that I need to say. |
| “I just want to get my head into golf this week and concentrate on the tournament and try and do well. I have been playing well. The form has been good. I want to dive straight into it and keep myself somewhat busy and just try to have a good week on the course.” | “I just want to get my head into golf this week and concentrate on the tournament and try and do well. I have been playing well. The form has been good. I want to dive straight into it and keep myself somewhat busy and just try to have a good week on the course.” |
| Wozniacki is yet to comment. Three months ago, she responded to last year’s speculation that she and McIlroy had split up. “I can only think that it’s maybe the people that don’t want us together,” she said. “It’s sad that some people write stories based on nothing, because obviously we were always strong and we are going strong.” | Wozniacki is yet to comment. Three months ago, she responded to last year’s speculation that she and McIlroy had split up. “I can only think that it’s maybe the people that don’t want us together,” she said. “It’s sad that some people write stories based on nothing, because obviously we were always strong and we are going strong.” |
| McIlroy remains locked in a multimillion pound legal battle with his former management company, which is scheduled to reach a Dublin commercial courtroom later this year. Having surged to the summit of the world rankings, his 2013 was overshadowed by poor form and criticism of a lucrative switch to Nike equipment. | McIlroy remains locked in a multimillion pound legal battle with his former management company, which is scheduled to reach a Dublin commercial courtroom later this year. Having surged to the summit of the world rankings, his 2013 was overshadowed by poor form and criticism of a lucrative switch to Nike equipment. |
| McIlroy spent Wednesday afternoon at Wentworth in the pro-am company of three former Manchester United players: Peter Schmeichel, Teddy Sheringham and Phil Neville. | McIlroy spent Wednesday afternoon at Wentworth in the pro-am company of three former Manchester United players: Peter Schmeichel, Teddy Sheringham and Phil Neville. |