Break-up with Caroline Wozniacki helped Rory McIlroy refocus

Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki. Pics/Getty Images

Louisville: Since his May break-up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy has intensely concentrated on golf and that has helped make him a dominant World No 1 with overwhelming form.


Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki. Pics/Getty Images

Without mentioning Wozniacki by name, McIlroy addressed the changes in his life and uptick in his results Friday after firing a four-under par 67 to seize the lead at the PGA Championship. "I think it has happened to me for the better," McIlroy said.

"I've put a little bit more time into my golf and it refocused me in a way. It's not the only thing I have - I've got my family and friends - but I've just immersed myself in the game.

I've practiced hard, I've done all the right things and I'm reaping the rewards." McIlroy won his third career major title three weeks ago at the British Open in Hoylake and captured his first World Golf Championships victory last weekend in Akron, Ohio.

Time once spent flying around the world to be with Wozniacki at her tournaments is now poured into perfecting his game. "It's hard to really say how much more time," McIlroy said.

"Just seems like over the past couple of months I've just buried myself in my golf game and it seems to be working. What else do I have to do? I get up in the morning, go to the golf course, go to the gym. It's just my life at the minute. It obviously works pretty well so I'm going to keep doing it."

Love and life
McIlroy got engaged to Wozniacki, only to break it off as wedding invitations were being sent. The trek through such personal setbacks has helped harden McIlroy's game now.

"There are obviously big differences both in terms of my game and my life," McIlroy said. "I just know I'm a better player than I was in '12. I'm better equipped mentally and physically to handle a stretch like this where you're in the lead for a lot of tournaments."