Rory McIlroy Press Conference: WGC-Cadillac Championship
Published: Last updated:
Just five days after his dramatic withdrawal from the Honda Classic, Rory McIlroy told the world’s press that walking off the course was a mistake, his new Nike equipment is just fine and he is not breaking up with Caroline Wozniacki.
The 23-year-old started a frank and honest pre-tournament press conference by joking “I’d give myself a red card for last week,” citing Manchester United’s loss a day earlier.
The world number one went on to apologise, saying: “It was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m learning from them. Some people have the pleasure of making their mistakes in private. Most of my mistakes are in the public eye.”
McIlroy went on to reiterate his statement about withdrawing due to severe toothache was true, he also said his mental state was not good.
“I wasn’t in a good place with my golf game, my head was all over the place. I realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t the right thing to do. No matter how bad I was playing, I should have stayed out there.
“There’s no excuse for quitting. I let a lot of people down and for that I’m sorry.”
When talking about his new Nike clubs, McIlroy said that his swing is the problem and not the equipment, stating he spent the weekend working his action with his instructor Michael Bannon.
“I know it’s purely the swing,” McIlroy said. “The equipment is fantastic. When I make a good swing it does exactly what I want.”
He also addressed rumors that he and tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki had broken up, which some had speculated was at the root of his problems. “Just because I have a bad day on the golf course, and Caroline loses a match, does not mean we are breaking up,” he said.
He summarised by saying “I’ve got to remember I started to play golf because I love it, I really do. I’ve got four rounds, thankfully. I haven’t been enjoying it because I’ve been putting so much pressure on myself. I have to go out there and enjoy myself.”
McIlroy play his opening two rounds with Nike stablemate Tiger Woods and former world number one Luke Donald.
