Ali Stafford Senior Sports Journalist Thursday 5 November 2026 13:59, UK Image: Rory McIlroy is looking to win the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship for the first time Laporta opened a three-shot advantage after a low-scoring opening day at Yas Links GC, where he narrowly missed out on the course record during his bogey-free 62. The Italian carded an eagle and eight birdies to set the clubhouse lead ahead of Jon Rahm, Sam Bairstow and Bernd Wiesberger, who all sit on seven under, while Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk are both a further stroke back in a share of fifth. Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship: Latest leaderboardDP World Tour: Latest headlines, reports and highlightsGet the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contractWhat golf is live on Sky Sports and when? Full TV listings Image: Jon Rahm is three strokes back after the opening day McIlroy started the week third in the season-long standings as he chases a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, with The Masters champion initially appearing to be six strokes back after birdieing three of his final five holes.The Northern Irishman was adjudged to have improved his lie at the par-four 12th and assessed a two-shot penalty post-round, seeing his double-bogey six into a quadruple-bogey eight and leaving him signing for a two-under 70.
“There’s obviously no intent – I play by the rules and I try and do everything I can to never end up in these positions,” McIlroy said post-round. “But just by looking at the video, it doesn’t look very good.” Post-round penalty delays McIlroy’s Race to Dubai pushMcIlroy – who has 10 previous top-three finishes in Abu Dhabi without victory – birdied both par-fives on the front nine and added another at the 11th, then saw his round unravel with his rules infringement at the par-four 12th.”I’m just trying to get a feel of the lie,” McIlroy explained. “The ball is in the bottom of a sandy divot, and I’m just trying to feel if I can get a 54 degree (wedge) onto the back of the ball. In the process, this piece of the grass is laid down.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rory McIlroy explains why he was handed a two-shot penalty on the 12th hole during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship “I don’t feel like I pressed down (on the grass) but, at the same time, I don’t want the perception of people thinking that I got away with something either. I’m happy to take the two-shot penalty, move on and move into tomorrow.”McIlroy responded by driving the green at the 359-yard par-four 14th, setting up a two-putt birdie, then holed from 40 feet at the next and picked up another shot from close range at the 16th. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rory McIlroy produces an incredible 359-yard drive on the par-four 14th during the opening round in Abu Dhabi, setting up a birdie He was unable to take advantage of the par-five last and sits eight back alongside Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra, while Patrick Reed – completing that threeball – struggled to a two-over 74 after a final-hole double bogey.More to follow…Watch the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf.
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