Pained McIlroy shuts down lines of outside communication

Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: A distraught Rory McIlroy decided to switch off his mobile phone and give away his laptop after ending his relationship with tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, the Northern Irishman said on Thursday. The world number 10 forgot the pain of his breakup by returning two eagles in a four-under-par 68 in the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth but it was only a temporary respite from his anguish. “I haven’t turned on my phone for a few days and I’ve given my laptop away,” McIlroy told reporters. “I’m sort of living like I’m in the 1970s. “It’s a tough week and I’m not really that comfortable standing here talking about it.” McIlroy announced on Wednesday that he and Danish fiancee Wozniacki, who had been together for two and a half years, had mutually agreed to end their wedding plans. “I don’t think you’d be a human being if it wasn’t tough especially when it’s a little slow out there and we were walking in between shots,” said the 25-year-old after ending the day six strokes behind tournament leader Thomas Bjorn. “But once I had my mind focused on the task at hand it made it a little easier. “I admitted yesterday it was going to be a tough week for me and if I can keep my mind busy and just concentrate on my golf and gym work and keep myself going throughout the week, then hopefully I’ll make it a bit better for myself,” said McIlroy. The twice major winner conjured two typically audacious shots on Thursday. A previously glum-looking McIlroy was suddenly all smiles after eagling the par-four seventh. His 130-yard approach with a pitching wedge landed in the rough at the back of the green before the ball spun sharply back and rolled 30 feet until it disappeared into the middle of the cup. McIlroy also eagled the par-five 12th after a majestic five-iron from 203 yards ended within tap-in range. The Irishman has a less than stellar record at Wentworth, having missed the cut three times in six previous starts and with a best result of a fifth-place finish in 2009. “The two eagles helped obviously and it’s a good round for me around this place,” said McIlroy. “It’s a place where I’ve notoriously struggled in the past but it was good to shoot something in the 60s and I’m looking forward to getting back out on to the golf course tomorrow and doing that again.”

Wozniacki takes comfort from Liverpool connection

Reuters: Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki said she was drawing comfort from her fellow supporters of Liverpool football club in her first public comments since golfer Rory McIlroy announced their wedding had been called off. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman issued a statement on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, saying he was not ready for marriage. “It’s a hard time for me right now,” former world number one Wozniacki said on Twitter on Thursday. “Thanks for all the sweet messages! Happy I support Liverpool right now because I know I’ll never walk alone,” she added in reference to the famous anthem of the five-times European soccer champions. McIlroy is a lifelong fan of Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United and played in the same group as former Old Trafford favourites Peter Schmeichel, Teddy Sheringham and Phil Neville in Wednesday’s pre-tournament pro-am. World number 10 McIlroy said the split came just a few days after wedding invitations had been sent out.