It's All Over Now - Wozzilroy

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Rory McIlroy has broken off his engagement to tennis player Caroline Wozniacki just days after sending out wedding invitations.

The major winner and former world number one confirmed the relationship had ended after he realised he was not ready for marriage.

"There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people," McIlroy said.

In a brief statement issued through his Dublin-based communications consultants, the 25-year-old said he was making the announcement publicly after talking to Wozniacki.

"The problem is mine," he said.

"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 will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."

The couple announced their engagement on New Year’s Eve.

At the time McIlroy tweeted: “I have a feeling it is going to be a great year.”

It is understood the couple - dubbed Wozzilroy in some circles after a golf wedge was engraved with the moniker - had been an item for more than two years. Although they were forced to scotch rumours of a split late last year.

Just three days ago the sportsman still appeared to be happy with his fiancée posting a photo on Twitter during a romantic dinner at Nobu in Monte Carlo.

He wrote: “Nice view for dinner with @CaroWozniacki at Nobu Monte Carlo.”

A week ago Miss Wozniacki, a former world number one now ranked at 13th, revealed the pair had “great night” watching The Bodyguard stage musical.

She wrote: “Great night! Went to see the musical The Bodyguard with @McIlroyRory .. Amazing.”

Earlier the same day, the 23-year-old Dane posted a photo of two coffees, with one covered in whipped cream and wrote: “I guess in our relationship there is one kid and one adult @McIlroyRory btw I'm the kid.”

On the business side McIlroy is involved in a lengthy legal battle with his former management company over commissions from his lucrative sports sponsorship and endorsement contracts.

The golf star, who has a $20million (£11.8m) a year contract with Nike, claims he has paid more than $6.8million based on unreasonable fee rates much higher than usual in the sports agency industry.

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GMAC Stays Home for BMW

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Graeme McDowell has withdrawn from next week's BMW PGA Championship to be with his wife Kristin, who is expecting their first child later this summer.

The 34-year-old former US Open champion will be the only member of the Ryder Cup side responsible for the 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012 not to contest the European Tour's flagship event.

McDowell has a poor record at Wentworth, missing the cut in each of the last three years and failing to record a single top 10 in 11 appearances.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said: " Any tournament is disappointed not to have Graeme McDowell in its ranks, but the BMW PGA Championship still boasts a superb field including four former world number ones - Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, the latter of course fresh from his victory in the Players Championship at Sawgrass.

"I very much appreciated Graeme taking the time to phone me personally to tell me he wouldn't be at Wentworth, but the fact that he wants to spend time with Kristin, who will not be able to travel for the next three months, is entirely understandable.

"We wish them both well and look forward to seeing Graeme back in action in the championship in future years."

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European Tour Statement

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Everyone within The European Tour family continues to mourn the untimely passing of caddie Iain ‘Mac’ McGregor, who died during the final round of last week’s Madeira Islands Open.

Tributes paid during this week’s Open de España included a minute’s silence during the first round and a banner beside the clubhouse celebrating his life, while all players and caddies during the first round of next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, have been encouraged to wear ‘Black for Mac’ as a mark of respect.

European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady travelled to PGA Catalunya Resort this week to meet personally with the committee of the European Tour Caddies Association, a meeting also attended by Players’ Tournament Committee Chairman Thomas Björn.

O’Grady said: “We had a full and frank meeting with Chairman Gerry Byrne and his committee, a meeting which was understandably emotional at times and one during which I apologised to them for the hurt and upset caused by events in Madeira.

“I completely understand the views of people who say that we should not have carried on, but it was a terrible situation for anyone to be in and the decision to finish the tournament was not taken lightly, either by myself or by the tournament officials on the ground in Madeira.

“However, that decision is in the past and the important thing now is that we continue to work with Mac’s family and friends – as we have done from last Sunday – to assist with arrangements surrounding the funeral, which will take place in Madeira next Thursday, the same day as we wear ‘Black for Mac’ at Wentworth.

“I have also personally instructed a review of how we deal, operationally, at tournaments with situations such as this so that we can ensure the lessons of Madeira are learned.”

O’Grady also paid tribute to the dignity shown by Scotsman Alastair Forsyth, whose bag Mac was carrying when the tragedy struck.

“Throughout this whole process Alastair has behaved like a true gentleman in incredibly challenging circumstances,” said the European Tour Chief Executive. “He accepted our decision to play on in Madeira with grace and dignity, and he should command enormous respect for the way he has conducted himself throughout this difficult week.”

Gerry Byrne, Chairman of the European Tour Caddies Association, said: “We as a committee have faced an extremely tough week. Dealing with the passing of our colleague and friend during a tournament is particularly upsetting.

“While we understand that decisions have to be made at very short notice, it will come as no surprise to anyone that all European Tour caddies felt the wrong one was made in Madeira.

“We went into the meeting unhappy and it was emotional at times, but George’s humility and honesty in dealing with tough questions was greatly appreciated and it reassured us of the caddies’ important position within the Tour.

“We can now look forward to celebrating Iain's life next Thursday and strengthening our links with The European Tour moving forwards.”

#RIP

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Harrington Consistent at Byron Nelson

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Pádraig Harrington suffered two penalty drops on Friday at the Byron Nelson Championship and still managed to sign for a two under par 68 and remain two shots off a cluttered leader board with eight players on 6 under.

The Dubliner doubled the third aftre finding water and then again at the 18th. But recovered without loss, and then birdied the next, along with the sixth and ninth to turn in 34 strokes. 

At the par-four 11th he carded a fourth birdie.

Paul Casey came within one stroke of the PGA Tour scoring record for nine holes when he stormed home in 27 shots to vault into an early share of the lead in the Byron Nelson Championship second round in Irving, Texas.

Casey was in danger of missing the cut after a mediocre front nine, but he turned on the afterburners at the turn and picked up eight strokes on the inward half, thanks to an eagle and six birdies at the TPC Four Seasons Resort.

“I’m loving my golf right now,” Casey told Golf Channel after shooting a seven-under-par 63 for a six-under total of 134. Only American Corey Pavin, who shot an eight-under 26 on the front nine at Brown Deer Park during the 2006 US Bank Championship in Milwaukee, has posted a better nine-hole score on the PGA Tour.

Casey’s 27 matches the tour record for a back nine, emulating Nick Watney (2011 AT&T National), Brandt Snedeker (2007 Buick Invitational), Billy Mayfair (2001 Buick Open), Andy North (1975 BC Open) and Mike Souchak (1955 Texas Open).

He shared the early lead at the TPC Four Seasons Resort with German Martin Kaymer(67), Canadians Mike Weir (66) and Graham DeLaet (66) and American Morgan Hoffman (66) with half the field back in the clubhouse.

Pádraig Harrington survived two penalty drops to card a 68 and lie two shots off their scores.

The Dubliner found water on the third and the 18th but avoided dropping shots at the last to sign for a second 68.

At the third he took a double-bogey having found water off the tee but he recovered well to birdie the next, the sixth and ninth to turn in 34.

At the par-four 11th, he dropped his approach within five feet of the hole and took a fourth birdie.

He looked in trouble on 18 when he again found water off the tee, but after taking a drop his approach was precise once more and from 15 feet he saved par.

Kaymer showed no signs of a victory hangover following his Players Championship win on Sunday, though he did reveal that he did not sleep well overnight.

“Today there’s not much wind and especially in the morning we had lovely greens, and I could take advantage of a couple of long putts here and there,” Kaymer said. “I played very solid and didn’t make many mistakes. I like to play brave and if you hit a bad shot here and there, it’s OK.”

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Rory Remains Positive Post Players

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Rory McIlroy believes he is getting ever closer to rediscovering top form and is positive about his prospects heading into the busiest stretch of the season.

The two-time major champion fired a final round of 66 at the Players Championship on Sunday to notch his fourth straight top-10 finish on the PGA Tour - and his sixth of the season.

While never seriously in contention at Sawgrass following a second round of 74, McIlroy was nevertheless pleased with the battling qualities he again displayed to finish strongly.

Although he conceded another "backdoor" top-10 was not what he had been looking for, he insisted there was plenty to take forward as some of the biggest tournaments of the season loom on the horizon.

"Overall, it's been another solid week, another top 10 it looks like, another back door top 10 as I like to call them, but it's getting close," he told reporters on Sunday.

"I'm playing really well, I'm playing solid. I equalled my lowest round ever here at Sawgrass today with a 66, so things are heading in the right direction.

"Any time you shoot 66 and you move up a lot of spots on the leaderboard, I think I was 120th at one point in this golf tournament on Friday afternoon. So to go from there to finishing in the top 10 is a good effort."

McIlroy admitted that costly errors were really hurting his chances of contending at present with a disastrous run in round two at Sawgrass leaving him too much ground to make up.

The Northern Irishman made four bogeys and a double in the space of five holes early on Friday, yet demonstrated great maturity to hit back with four birdies on the back nine to ensure he made the halfway cut.

He claims that eradicating such lapses will see him back challenging for victory sooner rather than later.

When asked what he was looking to improve, he added: "Limit the mistakes - just keep the real big numbers off the card and these bogey runs that I seem to be getting on, just kind of keep it a little tighter, whenever I don't quite have my A game and that's really it.

"But as I've been saying the last few weeks, I'm seeing enough really good golf in there to be really positive going into the sort of main stretch of the season."

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