Rory McIlroy Broke Up With Caroline Wozniacki During 3-Minute Phone Call: Report

Golfer Rory McIlroy broke off his engagement to longtime girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki over the telephone, according to various reports.

McIlroy, 25, announced on May 21 that he had ended his relationship with Wozniacki just days after the invitations for the couple’s scheduled November wedding went out in the mail. On Tuesday, the New York Times and The Times in London reported that the golfer broke the news over the phone.

According to the Times of London, McIlroy’s phone call to Wozniacki ended after a three-minute conversation, which was so abrupt that she “thought [it] was a joke.” The New York Times also reported the phone call but didn't specify the length of their conversation.

A heartbroken Wozniacki exited the French Open after an upset loss to Yanina Wickmayer on Tuesday. The 23-year-old tennis star didn’t blame the loss on McIlroy but admitted that the breakup was a surprise.

“You’re not prepared for something like this, and it came as a bit of a shock,” Wozniacki told reporters after the loss. “I just tried to prepare the best that I could and really tried to focus on my match and on what I had to do out there.”

For his part, McIlroy rebounded by winning the BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour’s most prestigious event, on May 25. It was McIlroy’s first victory since 2012.

“When I was inside the ropes, it was a little bit of a release,” McIlroy told reporters after the win. “I was on my own, doing what I do best, and it gave me four or four five hours of serenity or sanctuary, whatever you call it.”

McIlroy has yet to offer a precise reason for his split with Wozniacki, but his May 21 statement provided a bit of an explanation. “The problem is mine,” he said. “The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. […] There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we have had.”

[H/T For The Win]