RORY MCILROY RECEIVES TWO-SHOT PENALTY AT ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP

Rory McIlroy received a two-shot penalty after his opening round at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday, with officials ruling that he improved his lie. The DP World Tour said he breached Rule 8.1b(4) by pressing his club into the ground behind his ball. The penalty changed his score at the par-four 12th at Yas Links from six to a quadruple-bogey eight. McIlroy signed for a two-under-par 70, leaving him eight shots behind Francesco Laporta, who completed a bogey-free 62.

McIlroy’s first attempt to chip onto the 12th green, his third shot on the hole, rolled back down a hill into a divot. Video footage showed grass moving as he placed his club behind the ball before another chip. McIlroy discussed the footage with officials in the scorer’s hut after completing his round. “I’m just trying to get a feel for the lie,” he said, adding that the ball sat at the bottom of a sandy divot.

The tour explained that the rule allows players to ground a club lightly, letting the grass support its weight, even if that improves the lie. Its statement said McIlroy could not establish whether he had pressed the club down and felt uncomfortable proceeding without a penalty. McIlroy said: “I play by the rules.” He accepted the additional strokes as he pursued a record-equalling eighth season-long Race to Dubai title.