Rory McIlroy was assessed a two-stroke penalty during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Thursday after rules officials determined he had improved his lie. The incident occurred on November 5, 2026, at the DP World Tour event in the United Arab Emirates.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, accepted the penalty without protest. The specific hole and circumstances of the rule breach were not immediately detailed in initial reports. The penalty will be added to his first-round score as the tournament continues.
