Rory to seek ‘solace’ in Korea

October 17, 2013. After recent turmoil on personal as well as professional front Rory McIlroy is looking for some solace as he begins a lucrative three-week Asian swing at the Korea Open on Thursday.

Former world No. 1 is in Korea to compete at the $1 million OneAsia Tour event at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, south of Seoul. He took a four week off after failing to qualify for the USPGA Tour Championship.

Ironically, a month long break did not offer respite for professionally struggling North Irish golfer. He had to deal with acrimonious split from his Management Company in addition to rumours in the British and Irish press about the end of his two-year relationship with tennis player girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.

[highlight] My private life is private. I’d like to keep it that way [/highlight]

When asked about his breakup reports,  McIlroy confronted the media with a sharp remark.

“My private life is private. I’d like to keep it that way,” golfer said. Meanwhile, Wozniacki too has denied the break up reports in Danish newspapers.

Mcilroy has decided to concentrate on his game for now. He said that golf course is a place where he finds solace.

“I’m just happy to be back on the golf course and doing what I do best. It’s a nice place for a little bit of solace,” McIlroy said at a press conference on Tuesday.

McIlroy holds a good previous record at Korea Open, he was tied for third in 2009, and was the runner-up in 2011 to American Rickie Fowler. He wants re-run of luck for the third time here.

“I’ve played good golf here before, but I haven’t played quite well enough to win,” he said.

With no opponents of Fowler’s calibre this week, McIlroy fancies his chances despite his poor form — he has only recorded one top 10 finish in his last 10 starts.

McIlroy’s focus now on will be to use the event to get back some form and confidence for the bigger prizes ahead as he moves on next week to China for Shanghai’s $7 million BMW Masters, where he was runner-up last year.