Rory McIlroy Admits Video 'Doesn't Look Very Good' After Accepting Two-Shot Abu Dhabi Penalty

Rory McIlroy conceded that television footage of his lie at the 12th hole 'doesn't look very good' after accepting a post-round two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

The penalty turned what would have been a double bogey into a quadruple bogey eight on the par-4 12th at Yas Links.

McIlroy initially signed for a 4-under 68.

After the round, officials showed him video evidence in the scoring area and applied the two-shot penalty.

His final score dropped to a 2-under 70.

McIlroy is currently third in the Race to Dubai standings, chasing a record-equalling eighth season-long title.

He trails Spain's Eugenio Chacarra and American Patrick Reed at the top of the standings.

The penalty leaves him with more ground to make up in Abu Dhabi and ahead of next week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Here is exactly what happened on the 12th hole.

McIlroy missed the green from the middle of the fairway.

His first chip shot failed to find the putting surface and rolled back down the slope.

The ball came to rest in a divot at the bottom of a deep slope beside the green.

McIlroy briefly laid his lob wedge behind the ball to assess the lie.

Television cameras captured the moment.

The footage showed a small piece of grass around the divot lay down as McIlroy put his club down behind the ball.

The grass did not return to its original position.

Officials determined that McIlroy had improved his lie.

The penalty was applied under Rule 8.1 of the Rules of Golf, which prohibits a player from improving the area of their intended stance or swing.

McIlroy did not dispute the ruling.

He accepted the two-shot penalty and explained his side of the incident.

"Obviously there's no intent, I play by the rules, I try to do everything that I can to never end up in these positions, but just by looking at the video, like it doesn't look very good," McIlroy said.

"Obviously that wasn't my intent. I'm just trying to get a feel for the lie. The ball is in a sort of bottom of a sandy divot. I'm trying to feel like if I can get a 54-degree, like, on to the back of the ball, but in the process, this piece of grass has sort of laid down, and it doesn't [come back up]."

McIlroy insisted he did not press down on the grass.

"I don't feel like I pressed down, but at the same time, I don't want the perception of people thinking like I got away with something either," McIlroy said.

"So, I'm happy to take a two-shot penalty and move on."

The Rules of Golf do not require intent for a penalty to be assessed under Rule 8.1.

Any action that improves the lie — even if accidental — can result in a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.

The penalty is applied regardless of whether the player intended to gain an advantage.

McIlroy is a six-time major champion and widely regarded as one of the most rule-conscious players on tour.

He has built a reputation for calling penalties on himself when he notices an infraction.

In 2019, McIlroy penalized himself during the Tour Championship after his ball moved slightly when he addressed it on the 16th green.

He called the penalty on himself even though television cameras did not catch the movement.

In Abu Dhabi, the situation was reversed: television cameras caught something McIlroy said he did not feel.

The incident has divided opinion among golf fans and analysts.

Some argue that McIlroy's intent should matter and that a two-shot penalty for an accidental grass movement is too harsh.

Others point out that the rule exists to protect the field and that video evidence is clear.

The DP World Tour did not issue any additional comment beyond the penalty decision.

McIlroy's playing partners in the marquee group also had a difficult day.

Eugenio Chacarra struggled to find his best form, partly because he cracked his driver during the pro-am the day before.

Patrick Reed was flat throughout the round.

Italy's Francesco Laporta leads the tournament after a 10-under 62.