McIlroy posts 11 birdies to close gap in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy recorded 11 birdies on Friday to shoot 9-under 63 at the Abu Dhabi Championship. The performance moved the Masters champion to 11 under overall for the tournament. He now sits one shot behind the leaders at Yas Links.

McIlroy’s surge followed a two-shot penalty assessed after his first round on Thursday. Officials ruled he had improved his lie on a hole where he recorded a double-bogey. That penalty left him eight shots behind the then-leader, Francesco Laporta, after the first day of play.

"I made peace with it," McIlroy said regarding the penalty. "I’d much rather be two shots worse off than be called a cheat. At least I went out today and it wasn’t playing on my mind. I had a clear conscience and I could just go and play."

The Northern Irishman started his second round with a bogey. He then made three birdies over the next six holes. A streak of five consecutive birdies began at No. 9. His second bogey came on the 14th, followed by three birdies on the final four holes.

"I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven’t been seeing for the last couple months," McIlroy said. He noted that he worked on his putting with Brad Faxon during the previous week. The course conditions also aided his scoring, with McIlroy noting there was little wind and many opportunities to make birdies.

A three-way tie leads the leaderboard at 12 under. Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, and Francesco Laporta hold that position. Hatton shot a 65 with eight birdies but missed a par putt on the 16th. Matthew Jordan, Adrian Meronk, and Sam Bairstow are tied with McIlroy at 11 under.

The tournament serves as a key event in the Race to Dubai standings. The title currently rests with Eugenio Chacarra, who is tied with Patrick Reed. McIlroy is positioned to win a fifth consecutive Race to Dubai title. A victory would move him to eight career titles, tying the record set by Colin Montgomerie.