Rory McIlroy shakes off opening round penalty to swing back into contention in Abu Dhabi

The Irish Times · Philip Reid · 2026-11-06 14:57 UTC

Masters champion one shot off joint-leaders Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta

Rory McIlroy, perhaps more than anyone, knows how to close the deal when it comes to the DP World Tour’s order of merit. Swing-by-swing, the Northern Irish man advanced his cause for a record-equalling title with a superb second-round 63 at the Abu Dhabi Championship to sit 11-under-par at the midway point.

The world number three put his two-stroke penalty in the first round – having inadvertently improving his lie – to one side, shooting 11 birdies and two bogeys to navigate his way up to tied-fourth, one a shot adrift of the trio of co-leaders, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta.

“I’m still in a much better position than I thought I would be,” McIlroy said after Friday’s round at Yas Links. “I’ve given myself a great chance and that’s all I can ask for.” He is currently third in the Race to Dubai, chasing down leader Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed in second. McIlroy is gunning for a record-equalling eighth title, with the final rankings to be determined after next week’s Tour Championship in Dubai.

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