Rory McIlroy calls off wedding with Caroline Wozniacki

Rory McIlroy announces shock split with tennis star fiancé Caroline Wozniacki ahead of BMW Championship.

Rory McIlroy has issued a statement confirming his split with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The former world number one golfer then fronted the media ahead of this week’s lucrative BMW championship.

The statement read:

There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people. 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 will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting.

McIlroy and Wozniacki were engaged in Sydney last New Year’s Eve but just a week after sending out wedding invitations McIlroy realised the marriage wasn’t for him.

McIlroy held back tears and put on a brave face at the media conference before playing in a pro-am event with former Manchester United players.

Adding to McIlroy’s troubles is the venue for this week’s tournament. The BMW Championship is once again being played at Wentworth Club – a course he’s openly admitted to disliking.

“Look, I think I’m no different than anyone else,” he said. “Everyone has been through break ups and it’s obviously very, very difficult.

“But look, I’m here to try and concentrate on this week and answer questions about golf and that’s what I’m going to do.”

McIlroy’s had a rough few few years battling his golf swing and dealing with management and sponsorship issues off the golf course. but since his Australian Open victory last December, the Northern Irishman looked to be on track for another significant victory.

Let’s hope this off-course setback doesn’t derail McIlroy’s quest for a third major victory. Golf is much better when McIlroy is around the top of the leaderboard.

And without wanting to make light of the situation, as I feel for both Wozniacki and McIlroy that they have to play this out so publicly but the Golf Channel’s Will Gray was pretty much on the money with his comparison to Adam Scott’s marriage a few weeks ago:

Rory publicly calls off engagement to Caroline after sending out wedding invitations. Basically the inverse Adam Scott.

— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) May 21, 2014