Golfer McIlroy tees up for new season without Holly

Rory joins the singles club after split with childhood sweetheart
OFF COURSE: Golfer McIlroy tees up for new season without Holly



Monday January 10 2011

SUPERSTAR golfer Rory McIlroy is getting over his love break-up by putting all his energy into his career.

The private athlete (22) has split with his childhood sweetheart Holly Sweeney (20) after a six-year romance.

But the golf prodigy isn't sitting at home licking his wounds, and is instead putting all his energies into his impressive career, counting down the moments ahead of a highly anticipated trip to Dubai today.

And while he may be used to seeing his name in the headlines, Rory is remaining tight-lipped about the split.

"Getting ready for another year on tour," he wrote on his Twitter page earlier this morning.

The Co Down native is jetting off to Dubai today to get some expert advice on his swing and celebrate his first time abroad as a publicly single man.

"Heading to Dubai tomorrow for a week of practice. First tournament is Abu Dhabi the week after. Then Dubai Desert Classic two weeks after that," he said.

The golf prodigy has put heartbreak behind him, and is now focusing on the important things in life, taking time to thank soldiers in the Middle East for putting their lives on the line to serve their countries.

Dating

"Just watched sky sports in Afghanistan. Puts things in perspective. Big shout out to all the men and women who serve their countries so well," he said.

The high profile pair began dating when he was just 16 and Holly was 14 in their native town of Holywood.

A source revealed that the pair called it quits because it simply wasn't "working out".

"He just felt things weren't working out with all the time they spend apart and thought the fairest thing for them was to let it go," the insider said.

In spite of being one of golf's most promising talents with a multi-million euro income -- he shunned the partying lifestyle, instead opting to spend his days off catching up with his parents or cozying up in his mansion with Holly.

McIlroy even famously stopped touring the US in order to stay based in Europe to be closer to his other half.

"Holly has another two years of uni' and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland, back in Europe and I don't ever want to give that up," he said at the time.

Brainy beauty Holly managed to avoid the stereotypical WAG image by planning an independent career, and is currently studying for a degree in sports technology at the University of Ulster