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McIlroy handed two-shot penalty for improving lie at Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy received a two-shot penalty during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship for improving his lie.
Rory McIlroy was handed a two-shot penalty after the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links for improving his lie on the par-four 12th hole. His original score of six at the hole became eight after the ruling, leaving him with a two-under 70 and eight shots behind leader Francesco Laporta, who shot a bogey-free 62. Video footage showed McIlroy pressing his club on grass behind his ball before his fourth shot, after his chip attempt had rolled back down a hill into a divot. McIlroy insisted there was 'no intent' and said he was 'just trying to get a feel for the lie', but acknowledged the video 'doesn't look very good'. He accepted the penalty under Rule 8.1b(4) and said he was 'happy' to move on. His playing partner Eugenio Chacarra said he believed the incident was borderline, calling it '50/50' and offering to fight the ruling on McIlroy's behalf.
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