Former world No.1 golfer Rory McIlroy on Wednesday emotionally announced he had broken off his engagement and split with Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki only days after sending out the wedding invitations.
The 25-year-old Northern Irishman and two-time major champion said the invitations had made him aware he was not ready for marriage.
"There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people," he explained through a statement issued by his Dublin-based communications consultants.
"The problem is mine," McIlroy said.
"The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails.
"I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had. I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."
Wozniacki is a former world No.1 on the WTA tour but sits 14th in the latest women's rankings.
McIlroy has dropped to 10th in the latest men's golf rankings.
The golden sporting couple's high profile break-up came on the eve of McIlroy's appearance at the European PGA Championship at Wentworth, where he said he had never considered pulling out of the top event.
"I just want to get my head into golf and concentrate on the tournament and try and do well.
"I want to drive straight into it and keep myself busy.
"I am not going to lie - it is going to be very difficult but, at least when I get inside the ropes, I can try and concentrate on the shots at hand.
"I didn't think there was any reason to pull out.
"There is no good time to end a relationship - I had made a commitment to be here. This is the European Tour's flagship event and I am very proud to be part of the European Tour.
"It is no different to anyone else. Everyone has been through break-ups and I want to concentrate this week on answering questions on golf."
McIlroy and Wozniacki met almost three years ago in Munich at a David Haye-Wladimir Klitschko boxing match and the relationship has been in the media ever since.
McIlroy and Wozniacki announced their short-lived engagement last New Year's Eve in Sydney.
The former world No.1s in their chosen sports posted pictures of themselves on Twitter with a diamond ring.
"Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!" McIlroy wrote.
Wozniacki posted: "Happy New Year everyone! Rory and I started 2014 with a bang! ... I said YES!"
The engagement came after rumours of a split in 2013.
McIlroy captured his first major title at the 2011 US Open and added another at the 2012 PGA Championship.
Wozniacki, 23, still seeks her first grand slam title, her deepest run in a major being to the 2009 US Open final.
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