Rory McIlroy has been hit with a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
The six-time major winner was deemed to have improved his lie by pressing down on the grass behind his ball with his club before hitting a chip on the par-four 12th at Yas Links.
The infraction, which was assessed following his round, changed his six to a quadruple bogey eight – his only dropped shots of the round – and meant he signed for a two-under 70.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, looked to have made a strong start to the tournament with a four-under 68, but the penalty leaves him eight shots adrift of leader Francesco Laporta.
The 37-year-old said that while “obviously there’s no intent” on his part, he is “happy” to accept the penalty.
“I play by the rules,” said the world number two.
“I feel like this is never really…I try to do everything that I can to never end up in these positions.
“But just by looking at the video, like it doesn’t look very good. Obviously that wasn’t my intent. I’m just trying to get a feel for the lie.”
McIlroy added: “The ball is in a sort of bottom of a sandy divot. I’m trying to feel like if I can get a 54-degree (wedge) on to the back of the ball, but in the process, this piece of grass has sort of laid down, and I guess the technical term for the rule is if you press down on the piece.
“I don’t feel like I pressed down. But at the same time, I don’t want the perception of people thinking like I got away with something either, so I’m happy to take a two-shot penalty and move on and move into tomorrow.”
McIlroy’s penalty leaves him tied with Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra on two under, while American Patrick Reed – who sits second in the standings, one position ahead of McIlroy – struggled in an opening 74.
More to follow.
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