The Open: Rory McIlroy spiky on suggestion that Caroline Wozniacki is ‘distraction’

By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on 18/07/2012 00:00

RORY McIlroy has fiercely shot down the suggestion that he has become “distracted” by his relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

The couple began dating last July but both have since had professional years to forget. McIlroy finished tied for tenth in his last appearance, at the Irish Open. But he missed the cut at his three previous tournaments. Wozniacki, meanwhile, was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round by Tamira Paszek.

Both have been agitated by consistent references to the possible effect their relationship has been having on their careers. McIlroy can at least point to the fact that he actually returned to No 1 ranking in the world during the course of this year. Wozniacki, however, is now No 8, having started the year at No 1. Asked after her defeat at Wimbledon whether her high-profile love life could be harming her career, she shot back a one-word answer: “No”.

McIlroy was only slightly more expansive yesterday during an interview prior to The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, which begins tomorrow. The 23 year-old is relishing being spared some of the expectation which was heaped on his shoulders at Royal St George’s last year, when he was a hot favourite to follow his US Open title win with another victory. However, he has no time for those who infer that his Danish girlfriend has been a problem for his golf. You said recently that you’ve taken your eye off the ball, is your eye back on the ball now? he was asked yesterday. “I think so, yeah,” he replied.

Asked then if there are any other distractions in his life, he added: “There’s never been any distractions,” making it quite clear it was time to move on. Even the thorny matter of the jungle-like rough on this rain-battered links course seemed to be a subject more to his liking.