Bizarrely, today’s two shot penalty incurred by double Major winning Rory McIlroy continues a trend in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy found himself robbed of a final round last group match-up with Scotland’s Craig Lee and instead the 24-year old was removed from second place at 11-under par and will now start the fourth day tied in fourth place on nine under par and three behind Lee.

Some years ago, fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington was disqualified when it came to light in ‘slow mo’ TV footage he had inadvertently moved his ball while replacing his marker.

A picture tells a 1,000 words – Scotland’s Dave Renwick explaining to Rory McIlroy what he witnessed at the second hole. (|Photo – www.gettyimages.com)

Twelve months ago World No. 1 Tiger Woods was hit with a two-shot penalty during the second round that resulted in him missing the cut when he took an incorrect drop from bushes.

Three years ago McIlroy was also penalised for brushing off his putting line thinking the sand was on the putting green when it was on the fringe.

Then on day two of this year’s event Sergio Garcia was the subject of an incident in tapping down a mark on the ninth hole of his first round.  However the Spaniard was later exonerated by Paramor of any breach as it was a pitch mark.