Updated 17.20
RORY MCILROY FACED the press at Wentworth this afternoon and told reporters he is hoping golf will prove a distraction from his personal issues.
Earlier today, McIlroy released a statement that confirmed his split from fianceé Caroline Wozniacki, four days after wedding invitations for their marriage were sent out. He declared, in his statement, ‘the problem is mine’ although Wozniacki, the former tennis number one, would contest that she has some worries of her own.
The Northern Irish golfer is in England this week as he hunts his first ever European Tour win on the continent of Europe [two Majors in the United States, one in Hong Kong and two in Dubai]. He told the Wentworth press conference that he had never considered pulling out of the tour’s flag ship event.
“I just want to get my head into golf and concentrate on the tournament and try and do well,” he stated. ”I want to drive straight into it and keep myself busy.”
“I am not going to lie,” he added, “it is going to be very difficult but at least when I get inside the ropes I can try and concentrate on the shots at hand.
I didn’t think there was any reason to pull out. There is no good time to end a relationship – I had made a commitment to be here. This is the European Tour’s flag ship event and I am very proud to be part of the European Tour.”
“The Tour has been very good to me over the last number of years and I thought it was my duty to come back and play in this event. Once I gave my word I was never going to go back on it.”
McIlroy continued, “My schedule is here, Memorial, US Open, Irish Open, Scottish Open and British Open and I don’t think that is going to change.
“It is no different to anyone else. Everyone has been through break-ups and I want to concentrate this week on answering questions on golf.”
– Additional reporting by AFP
