McIlroy going it alone as season opener looms

RORY McIlroy is working harder than ever to get ready for the new season after splitting up with his girlfriend of six years over the Christmas break.

The Hollywood star (21) broke up with childhood sweetheart Holly Sweeney (20) and immediately threw himself into his work by spending hours in the driving range in Dubai this week in preparation for his first event of the season in next week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.

“No tweeps I’m not gripping it too tight!,” McIlroy told his Twitter followers after a practice session that brought his left hand out in blisters. “I think blisters are inevitable when you haven’t gripped a golf club for six weeks!”