Wozniacki says McIlroy 'comfortable' with new clubs

HONG KONG (AFP) –

Rory McIlroy plays a shot during the first round in Abu Dhabi on January 17, 2013. His tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki insisted golf’s world number one was “very comfortable” with his new brand of clubs and hoped to show it this week.

Rory McIlroy’s tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki insisted golf’s world number one was “very comfortable” with his new brand of clubs and hoped to show it this week.

Wozniacki, speaking to reporters ahead of the BNP Paribas Tennis Showdown in Hong Kong, said McIlroy is perfectly happy with his new Nike clubs, which he is using after signing a blockbuster deal worth a reported $250 million.

McIlroy topped both the PGA and European Tour money lists last year and won his second major title, but he missed the cut at his debut outing with the Nike clubs last month in Abu Dhabi.

Some experts have warned of the dangers of switching clubs mid-career, with Nick Faldo calling it “dangerous”. But Wozniacki said McIlroy hoped to quickly return to form at this week’s WGC Match Play Championship in Los Angeles.

“He likes his new clubs and is very comfortable with them. He’s going to play a tournament this week and hopefully he’s going to do well,” she said in a phone interview.

Wozniacki, the world number 10 from Denmark, added that the increasingly cosy pair were not engaged, after she was photographed wearing a large ring when she arrived for the Australian Open last month.

“No we’re not engaged — but everything is good thank you and everything is going well. We do a lot of training together and he likes the gym, he goes every day. We often hit the gym together,” she said.

“You can always learn something, and obviously Rory is (world) number one. It gives you a different view in terms of sport and it’s nice to be able to draw from that experience.”

Wozniacki will play China’s world number five Li Na at the exhibition event in Hong Kong on March 4, while men’s legends John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl are also in action.