Rory McIlroy picks up two-shot penalty for rules violation in Abu Dhabi opening round

If it comes down to millimetres in his quest for a record-equalling eighth order of merit title on the DP World Tour, then Rory McIlroy could have cause to reflect on a minute of indiscretion at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship. In Thursday’s opening round, the Northern Irishman was deemed to have improved his lie, incurring a two-stroke penalty that turned his 68 into a 70.

For all of the brilliance exhibited by McIlroy in the opening round of the Tour’s penultimate event at Yas Links, it was the slightest of movement on the 12th hole which proved most notable of all.