We don't talk anymore -- but I'll still be watching Rory

Claire Murphy

IT'S one year since Rory McIlroy and Holly Sweeney split for good - shortly after Rory's 2011 Masters blow-out.

But that won't stop Holly from tuning into this year's event at Augusta to see if her former beau can put to bed the demons of '11.

"The last thing I did was I congratulated him when he got to World Number One," she said.

McIlroy got off to a mixed start in the tournament yesterday, eventually carding a respectable one under par for the first round.

His ex-girlfriend told the Herald that she picked up the minutiae of golf by watching hours and hours of the sport.

Holly admitted that although she is not comfortable on the course herself, she really relishes watching the experts.

"I love the Masters. I even have a Masters hat and I'll be sitting there watching it all," she said."It is such a great event.

"I have touched a golf club about twice in my life, but I enjoy watching people I'm friendly with play."

Holly said she wishes her ex Rory and his new tennis ace girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki well but she hasn't kept in touch.

And she said that for now she's enjoying being single.

"I've been on a couple of dates. I was in such a long relationship and I'm only 21."

Holly is set to appear on the latest instalment of TV3's Celebrity Come Dine With Me on Monday night.

Suffer

The student held a dinner party for Pippa O'Connor, media mogul Michael O'Doherty, former rugby player Shane Byrne and Rubberbandits beauty Madeline Mulqueen in a bid to win €5,000 for charity.

"It went quite smoothly," she said. "I had a good bit of time in between to get ready. There's in no point in panicking."

Holly served a duck salad to start, followed by beef wellington and homemade icecream.

And she proved that she has a wicked sense of humour when she picked a golf and tennis theme for her night.

"It's just a bit of fun," she said.

"I was told on the Saturday that I would be hosting it on the Sunday. So I was in a rush to finish my menu and my theme.

"It was a bit of a p***take but you have to be able to laugh at yourself."

Celebrity Come Dine With Me Ireland airs weekdays from April 9 at 9pm on TV3.

clairemurphy@herald.ie