McIlroy handed two-shot penalty for improving lie

Rory McIlroy is hit with a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. McIlroy was deemed to have improved his lie in the rough on the 12th hole 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