Rory McIlroy gets 2-shot penalty after first round in Abu Dhabi as Laporta leads with a 62
Officials ruled that McIlroy improved his lie on a hole where he made double-bogey to spoil his card and was handed a two-shot penalty after his first round at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
In Abu Dhabi, Rory McIlroy was penalized two strokes during the first round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on November 5, 2026. Officials ruled that McIlroy had improved his lie on the par-4 12th hole, resulting in him shooting an 8 instead of 6, leaving him eight shots behind the leader, Francesco Laporta, who posted a 62.
McIlroy's actions, captured on video, showed him pressing his club into the ground behind the ball that had rolled into a divot after his failed chip shot. Despite his efforts to explain his actions, McIlroy acknowledged that his behavior appeared questionable and was willing to accept the penalty. The European Tour confirmed that Rule 8.1b(4) allows players to lightly ground their club in front of or behind the ball, but not to press it down.
McIlroy's performance was overshadowed by his penalty, and he finished the round with a 70, tying with Eugenio Chacarra. Patrick Reed carded a 74, while the other Race to Dubai contenders struggled, finishing with scores of 74 and 70. Laporta's flawless round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, setting up a thrilling finish to the tournament and the Race to Dubai title battle.
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