Rory McIlroy was not about to allow a simple 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.
McILROY … “I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE TWO SHOTS WORSE OFF THAN BE CALLED A CHEAT”.
As @McIlroyRory goes out on day two of @ADGolfChamps and proves just what he’s capable of.
“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”.
Read full story: https://t.co/bmUJJaUxLQ
Getty
✅ @TOURMISS
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) November 6, 2026
“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.
