McIlroy shoots 63 to take clubhouse lead in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy shot a nine-under-par 63 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship to take the clubhouse lead at 11 under, recovering from a two-shot penalty in Thursday’s opening round.

The Northern Irishman made 11 birdies on Friday, a career first in a DP World Tour round, despite starting with a bogey and dropping another shot at the 14th. His score put him ahead with several of the leading players still to finish their rounds.

The penalty on Thursday was imposed after McIlroy pressed down the grass behind his ball with his club before playing a chip at the 12th hole at Yas Links. It left him two under par and eight shots behind overnight leader Francesco Laporta.

McIlroy is seeking a fifth consecutive Race to Dubai title and an eighth overall, which would equal Colin Montgomerie’s record. He began the week third in the standings, behind Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed.

Chacarra and Reed both carded 71 in the second round. Chacarra was three under par overall, while Reed was one over. The top 70 available players in the standings are competing in Abu Dhabi; the top 50 will advance to next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.