From Golf · · 1m 10s
Rory McIlroy's 11-birdie win after rules penalty
Rory McIlroy overcomes rules penalty with 11-birdie 63 at Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
In brief
Rory McIlroy overcomes rules penalty with 11-birdie 63 at Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship. Rory McIlroy played a nine-under 63 at Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship after a two-shot penalty for a rules violation, moving within one shot of co-leaders Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. Originally reported by Golf.
Rules controversy
Rory McIlroy faced a two-shot penalty for improving his lie on the 12th hole during Thursday's opening round.
Penalty impact
The penalty turned his score from 68 to 70, leaving him far behind early leaders after Day 1.
Friday's performance
McIlroy fired a nine-under 63 to get within one shot of co-leaders Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
McIlroy's response
He said he made peace with the rules violation but didn't dwell on it or feel he did anything wrong.
“I honestly, I guess, before I left the course, I made peace with it. I didn’t dwell on it or I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong.”
Overcoming adversity
McIlroy started with an unplayable lie and bogey but made 11 birdies over his final 17 holes.
Race to Dubai standings
Eugenio Chacarra leads McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings with eight shots behind after halfway.
The bottom line
Rory McIlroy played a nine-under 63 at Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship after a two-shot penalty for a rules violation, moving within one shot of co-leaders Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
