McIlroy hit with two-shot penalty as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy’s double bogey on the par-four hole was later revised to an eight, leaving him with a two-under 70, eight shots behind leader Francesco Laporta in his bid for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.
At the Abu Dhabi Championship, Rory McIlroy received a two-stroke penalty at the end of his first round for breaching a rules regulation. Italy's Francesco Laporta surged ahead of the field to take the lead. McIlroy appeared to press down grass behind his ball with his club before chipping on the 12th hole of the 12th hole. He initially scored a double bogey, but this later became an eight, leaving him eight shots behind Laporta's opening round total of two-under 70.
McIlroy maintained that there was no malicious intent, stating, "I play by the rules, I try to do everything that I can to never end up in these positions." Laporta posted a perfect 62, featuring eight birdies and an eagle, leading by three shots over Jon Rahm, Bernd Wiesberger, and Sam Bairstow.
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- McIlroy boosts Race to Dubai title chances as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi with first-round 62 sports.yahoo.com
- McIlroy hit with two-shot penalty as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi freemalaysiatoday.com
- McIlroy hit with two-shot penalty as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi al-monitor.com
- McIlroy boosts Race to Dubai title chances as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi with first-round 62 winnipegfreepress.com
