McIlroy Hit with Two-Shot Penalty at Abu Dhabi Championship

Francesco 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 he was handed a two-shot penalty following his round.

Laporta opened up a three-shot advantage after a low-scoring opening day at Yas Links Golf Club, where he narrowly missed the course record with a bogey-free 62.

The Italian carded an eagle and eight birdies to set the clubhouse lead ahead of Jon Rahm, Sam Bairstow and Bernd Wiesberger, who were all on seven under par. Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk were a further stroke back in a share of fifth place.

McIlroy started the week third in the season-long standings as he chased a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title. The Masters champion initially appeared to be six strokes behind after birdieing three of his final five holes.

However, the Northern Irishman was adjudged to have improved his lie at the par-four 12th and was assessed a two-shot penalty after his round. The penalty turned his double-bogey six into a quadruple-bogey eight, leaving him to sign for a two-under-par 70.

McIlroy, who has recorded 10 previous top-three finishes in Abu Dhabi without a victory, birdied both par-fives on the front nine and added another at the 11th before his round unravelled following the rules infringement at the 12th.

Replays showed that his first chip shot, which was his third, rolled back down a hill into a divot. A piece of grass appeared to move as he assessed the lie before playing his next shot.

McIlroy responded by driving the green at the 359-yard par-four 14th, setting up a two-putt birdie. He then holed a 40-foot putt at the next hole and picked up another shot from close range at the 16th.

He was unable to take advantage of the par-five 18th and sits eight shots behind Laporta alongside Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra.

Patrick Reed, who completed the three-ball alongside McIlroy and Chacarra, struggled to a two-over-par 74 after recording a double bogey at the final hole.

—Sky Sports