# McIlroy handed two-shot penalty for improving lie

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mcilroy-handed-two-shot-penalty-for-improving-lie/
- Published: 2026-11-05T16:12:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T16:19:53+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c6n49k9vyx81o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- McIlroy’s penalty turned a 68 into a 70.
- He is eight shots behind leader Francesco Laporta.
- McIlroy accepted the ruling despite saying it was unintentional.

## Summary

McIlroy’s two-shot penalty left him eight shots behind Francesco Laporta after the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. It changed his score on the 12th from a six to an eight, turning an apparent four-under-par 68 into a two-under-par 70.

Officials ruled that McIlroy pressed his club into the grass behind his ball, improving his lie, which breaches golf’s rules. He said he had not intended to do so but accepted the penalty, saying he did not want to appear to have got away with anything. Laporta leads on 10 under after a 62; McIlroy is tied with Eugenio Chacarra and is seeking a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.

## Coverage

- [BBC Sport: McIlroy handed two-shot penalty for improving lie](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c6n49k9vyx81o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Fox News: Rory McIlroy assessed two-shot penalty after being caught improving lie, admits video 'doesn't look very good'](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/rory-mcilroy-assessed-two-shot-penalty-caught-improving-lie-admits-video-doesnt-look-very-good)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.