By Arthur Martin Coy: Irish model Nadia Forde, who is friends with Rory McIlroy Sinking a simple putt may have won him the Open – but was there a greater driving force behind Rory McIlroy’s triumph yesterday? A budding romance, perhaps? The victory – and spectacular return to form – meant the 25-year-old golf star became the third youngest player to win three major championships. It all coincides with his blossoming friendship with Irish lingerie model Nadia Forde. After being introduced by mutual friends last year, the pair have remained tight-lipped about  the nature of their relationship. Meanwhile McIlroy’s ex-fiancee,  Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, 24, seems to be thriving on being a single woman after winning the Istanbul Cup yesterday – her first title of the year.
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Open champion's incredible victory coincides with growing friendship
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Nadia Forde and the Northern Irish golfer have been coy over relationship
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She was not at McIlroy's historic win, despite speculation she would attend
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