Former World No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy is taking some time off from preparing for next month’s Masters to support girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki at the WTA and ATP hardcourt event in Miami.
McIlroy, who led after the first three rounds at last year’s Masters only to fade in the back nine on Sunday, enjoys watching Denmark’s Wozniacki, the fourth seed who will open this week against Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. “Tennis events have a different atmosphere,” McIlroy said in comments posted on the WTA website. “It’s packed into a smaller space so there’s a little more buzz going on. It’s a nice change to be on the other side of the ropes, being a supporter. I’ve been to a lot of tennis tournaments the last few months.” Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who lives nearby, was World No. 1 for two weeks after winning the US PGA Honda Classic earlier this month but England’s Luke Donald won last week to end McIlroy’s brief first global golf reign.
McIlroy appeared with Wozniacki on Tuesday and the story of a “no junk food” bet he lost to Wozniacki was revealed. McIlroy lost when he enjoyed a slice of his mother’s birthday cake. Wozniacki received a diamond bracelet as a result. “He’s a very bad liar so he actually told me straight away afterwards,” Wozniacki said. “He was like, ‘I feel guilty.’ I said, ‘Don’t feel guilty. I feel great!'” McIlroy might get his chance at a rematch, however. “I was thinking to make another one because it was too easy,” Wozniacki said. “He didn’t even last two weeks.”
