Rory could rue Abu Dhabi rules breach

AN amateurish mistake could ultimately prove costly for Rory McIlroy after he forfeited a share of the lead entering the final two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy was five under when his second shot at the ninth hole came to rest just off the green and short of a bunker.

But with sand from the bunker lying on the surface of the green, McIlroy stepped forward to illegally brush the sand from his putting line which incurred a two stroke penalty and a double bogey in a round of 72 to remain five under.