Golf
Rory McIlroy Takes Two-Stroke Penalty in Abu Dhabi Opener
McIlroy’s adjusted 70 left him eight shots behind first-round leader Francesco Laporta.
Rory McIlroy received a two-stroke penalty after his opening round at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Thursday, changing his score to a 2-under 70.
The penalty concerned his actions behind the ball on the par-4 12th hole. His score on that hole changed from a double-bogey 6 to an 8, according to the published tournament report.
The DP World Tour said the rules permit a player to ground a club lightly but do not permit pressing it into the ground. Its statement said McIlroy was unable to confirm whether he had pressed down and chose to apply the penalty after reviewing the footage.
Francesco Laporta led at 10-under 62. McIlroy, seeking his eighth season-long Race to Dubai title, was eight shots back.
