Golf: Rory McIlroy sees funny side as fans sing 'Sweet Caroline' at rugby match in reference to ex-fiancee

Golfer Rory McIlroy and then girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, at the Sentosa Golf Club in 2012 for the Barclays Singapore Open. -- PHOTO: NEW PAPER
Golfer Rory McIlroy and then girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, at the Sentosa Golf Club in 2012 for the Barclays Singapore Open. -- PHOTO: NEW PAPER

LONDON (AFP) - World number one Rory McIlroy saw the funny side when a crowd at a rugby match sang along to 'Sweet Caroline', a teasing reference to his ex-fiancee Caroline Wozniacki.

The Northern Irish golf star was being interviewed by the BBC at half-time of the Ulster-Connacht game when Neil Diamond's hit single was cheekily played over the public address system.

Fans of the Ulster club McIlroy supports so passionately started to join in, while McIlroy's face creased into a broad smile.

The 25-year-old, who enjoyed his finest year as a professional on the way to major victories at Hoylake, where he won the British Open and then the PGA Championship a few weeks later, broke off his engagement to former tennis world number one Wozniacki last May.

The couple had been together since 2011 before McIlroy proposed on New Year's Eve 2013.

The couple had already sent out wedding invitations before the Ulsterman got cold feet and called off the relationship.

Following the breakup, McIlroy went on to play some of the best golf of his young career, winning three tournaments in 21 days, and climbed to the world number one spot.

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