( CNN ) -- One of sport 's most high-profile couples are no more . Golf star Rory McIlroy announced Wednesday that he had broken off his engagement to tennis player Caroline Wozniacki . The two-time major winner from Northern Ireland said the issuing of wedding invitations over the weekend had made him realize he was n't prepared for `` all that marriage entails . '' McIlroy and former world No . 1 Wozniacki , from Denmark , announced their engagement via social media on New Year 's Day -- but their three-year relationship is now over . `` There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people , '' McIlroy said in a statement reported by the UK Press Association . `` The problem is mine . The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I was n'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 . '' McIlroy , ranked 10th in the world , is currently preparing for the European Tour 's flagship event -- the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in England . He spoke briefly about the split at a press conference ahead of Thursday 's opening round , telling reporters : `` Obviously ( it 's ) quite a difficult time for Caroline and myself . `` I think the statement really said it all this morning . It was mutual and amicable and we both thought it was the best for us , the best for both of us . Time to move on and I think I 've said all that I need to say . `` Now I need to get my head into golf and concentrate on the tournament , keep myself busy and try and have a good week on the course . `` I 'm not going to lie . It 's going to be very difficult . But you know , at least when I get inside the ropes I can just try and concentrate on the shot at hand . But yeah , it 's obviously going to be difficult . '' Only on Sunday McIlroy tweeted a picture while the pair were enjoying dinner together at Nobu restaurant in Monte Carlo . The couple , who were referred to as 'Wozzilroy ' by the world 's media , began dating in 2011 after meeting at a boxing match . They had to deal with constant rumors as to their health of their relationship , which were magnified when both suffered slumps in their career during 2013 . But on January 1 they took to their respective Twitter accounts to confirm they were engaged to be married with Wozniacki saying : `` Rory and I started 2014 with a bang ! ... I said YES ! ! ! ! '' McIlroy captured his first major title at the U.S. Open in 2011 and followed it up by claiming the US PGA Championship the following year , but has struggled for form of late . Wozniacki , who is yet to win a grand slam title but did top the world rankings in 2010 , is preparing for the second major of the tennis season -- the French Open -- which starts on May 25 . She made her first response to the split on Twitter Thursday saying , `` It 's a hard time for me right now . Thanks for all the sweet messages ! Happy I support Liverpool right now because I know I 'll never walk alone . ''
Rory McIlroy breaks off engagement with tennis star Caroline Walsh . McIlroy issues statement saying he realized he was n't ready for ` ` all day . '' The pair had announced their engagement via Twitter on January 24 . Rory says he wishes ` ` ' all the happiness she deserves ''