Rory McIlroy has been handed a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. The six-time major winner breached rule 8.1b(4) after pressing down on the grass behind his ball with his club before chipping on the par-four 12th at Yas Links. The infraction changed his score to a two-under 70, leaving Rory McIlroy eight shots behind leader Francesco Laporta, who surged into a three-shot lead with an opening 62.
McIlroy, chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, said he had no intent to gain an advantage but was happy to accept the penalty. "I play by the rules," the world number two stated, explaining that the ball was in a divot and he was trying to feel the lie.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm impressed in his first round since leaving LIV Golf, carding a bogey-free 65 to sit among the leaders. Other notable scores included Patrick Reed's 74 and Eugenio Chacarra's 70, leaving the marquee trio in varying positions after day one.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing