Golf: Rory McIlroy is sleepless in Saadiyat

Published on 16/01/2013 00:29

GOLFER Rory McIlroy is ready to go without sleep this week on Saadiyat Island to keep track of girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki’s bid to progress in the Australian Open.

The world No 1 missed out on some shut-eye on Monday night so that he could watch Wozniacki come from 3-0 down in the final set to beat German Sabine Lisicki in the first round in Melbourne. “It’s fine – I’ve done it plenty of weeks before,” said McIlroy in playing down the effect it might have on his own hopes of starting 2013 with victory in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.

“Even if I try to get some sleep when she is playing, I wouldn’t be able to because I’d be thinking about how she’s doing and checking the score on my phone. I may as well watch it and put myself out of my misery.”

McIlroy’s move to Nike and, more significantly, the money he’s earning for that – it’s reported to be worth £31,000 per day – continued to be a major talking point in the UAE capital. The world No 1 was asked if he was going to treat himself but said he was more concerned about trying to get the year off to a flying start with his new clubs. “A win this week is what I have my eye on,” he said.