McIlroy hit with penalty as Laporta leads Abu Dhabi

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 14:52 · Archive

Rory McIlroy received a two-shot penalty for improving his lie on the 12th hole during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

Rory McIlroy received a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship. The Northern Irishman was deemed to have pressed down on grass behind his ball with his club before hitting a chip on the par-four 12th at Yas Links, an infraction assessed after his round. The penalty changed what would have been a double-bogey six into a quadruple-bogey eight, his only dropped shots of the day, and left him signing for a two-under 70.

Francesco Laporta holds the lead after a bogey-free opening round of 62, which included an eagle and eight birdies. He holds a three-shot advantage over Jon Rahm, Sam Bairstow and Bernd Wiesberger, who are all on seven under. Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk share fifth, one stroke further back.

McIlroy, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title and started the week third in the season-long standings, said there was no intent behind the penalty. 'I play by the rules and I try and do everything I can to never end up in these positions,' he said. 'But just by looking at the video, it doesn't look very good.' He added that he was trying to feel for the lie of the ball in a sandy divot and is 'happy' to accept the penalty and move on.

How it is being reported

• McIlroy handed two-shot penalty for improving lieRory McIlroy is hit with a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.BBC Sport · 5 Nov, 14:28
• Laporta holds three-shot lead as McIlroy receives two-shot penalty on day one in Abu DhabiHighlights of the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at the Yas Links golf club.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 13:50
• 'I'm happy to take it and move on' - McIlroy explains reason behind two-shot penaltyRory McIlroy explains why he was handed a two-shot penalty on the 12th hole during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship and says he is happy to accept it and move on.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 13:30
• McIlroy bolsters Race to Dubai hopes as Laporta grabs Abu Dhabi leadRory McIlroy bolstered his Race to Dubai hopes with a strong start to the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship as Francesco Laporta grabbed the early lead.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 12:50
• McIlroy punished for rules breach as Laporta leads in Abu DhabiFrancesco Laporta holds a three-shot lead after the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, where Rory McIlroy's Race to Dubai hopes suffered a setback after being handed a two-shot penalty post-round.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 12:50
• McIlroy makes green with MONSTER 359-yard driveRory McIlroy produces an incredible 359-yard drive on the par-four 14th during the opening round in Abu Dhabi.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 11:45

In this story: Rory McIlroy · Francesco Laporta · Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship · Yas Links

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