Rory McIlroy was not about to allow a rules infraction get under his skin.

Whether or not McIlroy ‘improved’ his lie on the 12th hole during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship, the current World No. 2 proved on day two of the event just what a great golfer he is.

McIlroy’s second round of 63 took him into the clubhouse lead at 11-under on the host Yas Links layout, a position he enjoyed for much of the afternoon before finally being overtaken, albeit by a short handfull of shots.

And it was a first question on day two of the event that McIlroy was afforded the opportunity to present his side of the story.

“I honestly, I guess, before I left the course, I made peace with it,” said McIlroy. “I didn’t dwell on it or I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong. But then at the same time, I said the video didn’t look good, like the close-up of it.

“So, again, I just never wanted the perception, people feeling like I got away with something. Yeah, I just wouldn’t want that sitting with me.

“I was happy — I’d much rather be two shots worse off than be called a cheat.

“So that’s what I did, and I made peace with it. At least I went out today, like it wasn’t playing on my mind. I had a clear conscience, and I could just go and play”.

As for the tournament proper, McIlroy stands in good stride to give it a real go.

“I did everything well again,” he said.

“I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven’t been seeing for the last couple of months.

“I finished second at Wentworth. Felt like if I had holed any putts at the weekend, I could have walked away with the win there. Struggled on the greens in India.

“But did some work with Brad Faxon last week and feel like I’m in a better spot with it. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today.”

Well said, Rors.