Sports · Other Sports · 7 hrs ago
McIlroy takes two-shot penalty after lie incident at Abu Dhabi Championship
Rory McIlroy took a two-shot penalty after an incident in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links.
His ball had rolled into a divot, and footage showed him pressing his club on the grass behind it before playing a chip.
Golf rules allow a player to rest a club lightly behind the ball, but not to press it down and improve the lie.
The penalty changed his score on the 12th from six to eight, leaving him with a two-under-par 70.
McIlroy said he did not intend to break the rule, but accepted the penalty because he was concerned about how the footage looked.
He ended the round eight shots behind Francesco Laporta, who led after shooting a bogey-free 62.
The penalty also dents McIlroy’s bid for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, with the tournament continuing the next day.
Rory McIlroy accepted a two-shot penalty after officials reviewed footage of his play on the 12th hole in the Abu Dhabi Championship’s first round.
The penalty changed his double-bogey six to an eight and left him with a two-under-par 70.
The incident involved McIlroy placing his club behind the ball after a chip rolled back into a divot.
The DP World Tour said players may ground a club lightly but may not press it on the ground.
McIlroy said he did not feel he had pressed down, but accepted the penalty because he did not want to appear to have gained an advantage.
Francesco Laporta led after shooting a bogey-free 62, eight shots ahead of McIlroy.
- Who
- Rory McIlroy, with the penalty applied after officials reviewed the incident.
- What
- He accepted a two-shot penalty for improving his lie, turning a six on the 12th into an eight.
- When
- During the first round on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
- Where
- The Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The footage raised the question of whether he pressed his club on the ground behind the ball, which is not allowed under Rule 8.1b(4).
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
McIlroy’s chip on the 12th rolled back down a slope and settled in a divot.
Footage was reviewed, and McIlroy discussed the incident with officials after his round.
McIlroy chose to take a two-shot penalty, changing his score on the 12th from six to eight.
McIlroy signed for a two-under 70, eight shots behind leader Francesco Laporta.
- Penalty
- Two strokes
- Hole
- 12th, a par four
- McIlroy’s score
- Two-under-par 70
- Leader
- Francesco Laporta, who shot 62
- Rule
- Rule 8.1b(4)
- Venue
- Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
3 sources
What people are saying
There’s no intent. I play by the rules.
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.
However, a player is not allowed to press the club on the ground.
Everything was just going like a video game, like just hitting shots straight and making some putts and just giving myself opportunities.
Posts on X
"I don't feel like I pressed down. But at the same time, I don't want the perception of, like, people thinking like I got away with something either. So I'm happy to take a 2-shot penalty and move on and move into tomorrow." Rory McIlroy speaks after his opening round 70 at the