Don’t be surprised World No. 1 Rory McIlroy heads ‘Down Under’ for a second time this month after girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki breezed through  he third round encounter in the Australian Open today (Sat).

McIlroy had been in Brisbane and Sydney supporting the Danish tennis ace but she hardly created a ripple in crashing  out of the Brisbane International and then the following week’s APIA International in Sydney.

However the World No. 10  ranked Wozniacki has really warmed to the first Grand Slam event of the New Year and the Victoria capital’s heatwave weather including desposing of Ukraine’s and World No. 85 Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-3.

McIlroy was cut from this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a pair of 75s and causing huge embarrassment for new sponsors, Nike.

McIlroy drove the ball poorly and putted so badly he ditched the Nike Method putter in favour of his beloved Scotty Cameron and the trusty short stick that earned him two Major victories.

Nike was approached for a formal comment on McIlroy’s dismal debut but declined. 

However a tweet later appeared on Twitter saying:  “We understand it takes time.  It’s a process that we are confident he will change when he’s ready”. 

There was no name attached to the tweet. 

‘Giant’ Rory McIlroy cut down to size in this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)