Golfer Rory rings in 2014 with proposal

SYDNEY - Rory McIlroy and his tennis-playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki started the New Year with a bang by announcing their engagement on Twitter.

"Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!," golfer McIlroy, who rang in the New Year with Wozniacki in Sydney, wrote. The two former world No. 1 athletes in their respective sports have been dating for more than two years and reports that their relationship was over last year was proposed by some as an explanation for McIlroy's drop in form.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman had to wait until last month to claim his first title of the season, when he dramatically edged Adam Scott on the final hole to win the Australian Open.

The Danish Wozniacki, 23, pulled out of this week's Brisbane International with an injured right shoulder, but is confident she will be able to play in this week's Sydney International in preparation for the Jan 13-26 Australian Open.

Along with a picture of her engagement ring, she tweeted: "Happy New Year everyone! Rory and I started 2014 with a bang! ... I said YES!!!!"