Golf: Fresh from taking over at the top of the world golf rankings on Sunday evening, Rory McIlroy tried his hand at a different sport last night as he stood in for girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in an exhibition match against Maria Sharapova at the Madison Square Gardens in New York.

Wozniacki summoned McIlroy from his courtside seat and handed him the racquet in a lighthearted moment before the final game of her match, which she lost 6-3 6-4.McIlroy resisted at first but then placed the tennis ball down on the blue surface, addressed it as if hitting a golf chip, then picked it up and started a friendly rally with the number-two ranked Sharapova.

After trading some gentle shots, the Russian sent an overhand long to the delight of the crowd and McIlroy quit while he was ahead, scurrying back to his seat. McIlroy, who rose to the top of the world rankings after winning the Honda Classic in Florida, said it was "nice to take a little break from golf".

The Co Down youngster, who was besieged by autograph hunters during changeovers, acknowledged he was not quite ready to eclipse Wozniacki in the world rankings. "Another couple of years," joked the 22-year-old.