Wozzilroy Files: Caroline Pops A Question In Rory's Post Round Presser

After Rory McIlroy opened with a 66 in Dubait, Tony Jimenez explains what happened in the post round press conference.

The Danish tennis player, a former world number one, interrupted the normal talk about birdies and bogeys and five-irons and three-woods with a question out of the blue from the back of the room.

A smiling Wozniacki, dressed in all white, took the microphone from one of the reporters and asked McIlroy amid roars of laughter from the assembled media: "If you win this week am I going to get a really nice Christmas present?".

The world's number one golfer pulled his cap over his eyes before telling his girlfriend: "Have you not already got a lot of nice presents?

"I have been looking, I have been looking. But it won't take winning this week to buy you a nice present - I'll get you a nice present anyway."

It drew another smiling response from the golf-watching Wozniacki: "That must be because I'm an unbelievable cheerleader".

McIlroy prompted more giggles from the floor when he said: "You're a better tennis player", to which the Dane replied, "That's not very nice".

Ewan Murray wasn't quite as kind in The Guardian, calling the moment "embarrassing" and noting Rory's "red face."

GulfNews.com's Ashley Hammond described the scene this way:

Ignoring McIlroy’s “Don’t even think about it” warning as he walked into the room and saw her among the press-pack, the winner of 20 WTA career titles stood up toward the end of the conference, much to her boyfriend’s embarrassment, and said: “You obviously have unbelievable support this week."

Brian Keogh noted the Gulf News story and the assertion that the reporter believes a wedding is soon in the offing.

Update on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 11:16 PM by Geoff

**Brian Keogh posted a photo...Caroline has definitely improved the press corps in the beauty department.

**Reader Bernie McGuire wrote in to complain that I had suggested Keogh took the image. But as you can see from the words above, it says he posted one. Eoin Clarke of golffile.ie took the shot and as I do daily, have embedded a thumbnail version here with the express hope that you'll click on the link provided. 

Comments

[Average Golfer]

The way her tennis is going she might be a tad careful of ticking off the golden goose.

[Press Agent]

When two young people who care for each other act normal and have a bit of fun, it really stands out amongst the masses of tight-lipped, reigned in, and generally frightened athletes we see on a regular basis. How can anyone call this lighthearted banter embarrassing in the age of the Kardashians, Beibers and other complete garbage that occupies most of the pages of the news these days?

[D.]

Don't do it. I guess Tiger has not taught him the key mistake he made.

[Soulmate9]

-> Press Agent
Well said!

[Ivan Morris]

It won't do Rors one bit of harm if Woz keeps him in line, the same as any good wife should do. Buy her a dozen, pink golf balls, I say!

[DTF]

Has this ever happened before? Can anyone recall any other instance where the girlfriend or wife of a tour player of note butted in during the middle of a press conference? Very bizarre behaviour.... Can your imagine the blowback if Robin Love pulled a stunt like this?

[Pat Burke]

In fairness, not too many golfers with former #1s

Seemed pretty funny to me. But I definitely look "uniquely" at things

[Ghillie]

Don't do it, Rory. You're having fun now, fine, but birdbrained bimbi pall in time -- and cost a lot to get shot of.

[Ian C]

Wozniaki has gate-crashed a few tennis press conferences in her time - I remember she did something similar with Novak Djokovic a few years ago. Beats 'it is what it is' anytime.

[mel]

@Press Agent - Ah, but who was having the fun? Rory looked embarrassed, and had apparently already asked her not to say anything. Caroline was making the moment all about her.

I agree with @DTF. Bizarre, inappropriate behaviour.

[IanB]

@Press Agent - Well said. @DTF, @Mel - lighten up, they're just been human

[Stanley Thompson]

Stick a fork in him....he's done.

[DTF]

LOL Stanley ;). Makes me wonder if Wozzilroy is done... Wonder what the reaction would have been if Chris Evert had popped up similarly at The Open Championship in 2008?!?

[Stord]

Agree with Ghillie.. Caroline is proving a liability. This stuff is fine behind closed doors, but keep it out of the public please.

[Kg]

Come on, please!!
They are young, they are human and having some fun. A breath of fresh air. Rory, being Irish is more than used to having the p1ss taken on occasion. I think his response shows he was not angry.
Inappropriate?? What do you think this is, a UN meeting?, Parliament? G20 Summit?
It's golf for Chr1st's sake and we would do well to not take is so seriously.

[digsouth]

Press Agent called it, and those who back his comments are intelligent and wise.

The rest of you are old women.

[Ghillie]

Apparently it warrants more interest than the actual Tournament, the last good one of the season, with one of the best fields. Nothing bloggable there, I guess.

[UnderTheChin]

Ewan Murray with the sense of humour of a brick wall

[johnnycz]

Millionaire twenty somethings riffing about what kind of shiny overpriced bling they're planning to buy for one another????!!!!!!

PressAgent: Hate to point out the obvious, but the frivolous, plastic, celebrity culture is already on Tour...for awhile now

Embarrassing for Rory without a doubt. Does Caroline have press credentials or did she finagle a way to get the mic handed to her?

ANyways...would've been great if Rory threw her a pack of tees and an apple when he was asked what sort of shiny bobble he got for the ole Ball-N-Chain.

[cypress]

There has always been an embarrassing double standard for golfers. On the one hand, golfers are boring automatons who simply hit ball far. Boring and uninteresting, we are told. Old timers compare current golfers unfavorably with Arnie, Gary, Jack and Lee. Those were great days!!
Then a golfer from today like Bubba upens his yap and tells the truth and the cry goes up that today's golfers have no reverence for the game like the statesmen of old. Why do golfers of today constantly showboat with their opinions? When we golf writers want their opinions we will tell them what to say. Ergo 15 years of bland coach speak from tiger.
And now Rory actually has an interaction with his girlfriend....who btw was #1 in tennis, during one of his five soul deadening press conferences this week.
Guys: Rory writes the rules. The transcribers of the press are there to shut up and record.

[digsouth]

johnnn.... I don't think I have ever seen ''finagle'' in print, and I'm not sure that is how it is spelled- what with me being the spelling beest(sic) that I am.

[Pete the Luddite]

Press Agent and digsouth are right on.

Digs, I was thinking constipated warthogs, not old women, but yeah...you got it. :)

[DTF]

I have been accused of being many things but constipated is NOT one of them!

File this little jus' funnin' incident away but don't forget because a little later we'll think hmm, there really was a signal there...

[johnnycz]

It's a great word AND amazingly Digs..."Finagle" didn't make the spell check go all wonky....hmm...neither did "Wonky".

Lets try "Manky"....it works!!!!!!

hmmm Fun with spellcheck...who woulda thunk it?

[Ghillie]

I thought you were American, johnnycz..."wonky"? "manky"? (Haven't heard the latter in yonks!).

I once wrote something called "Adventures in Spellcheck," showing what it would have made me write in its preference to what I actually (and correctly) wrote -- illiterate twaddle, I need hardly add. Nowadays all I do with it is "add" so that my own programme, at least, has a nodding acquaintance with the British/Canadian spellings of certain words!

Spellcheck is only useful for correcting spacding errors.