McIlroy fires 63 to move into Abu Dhabi contention

Rory McIlroy put the setback of the two-shot penalty he received on Thursday behind him as he posted 11 birdies in shooting a nine-under-par second-round 63 at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

McIlroy had been handed the sanction for improving his lie during the opening round and as a result finished day one on two under par, eight shots behind the leader, Italian Francesco Laporta.

The six-time major winner was penalised after pressing down on the grass behind his ball with his club before hitting a chip on the par-four 12th at Yas Links.

The Northern Ireland player responded in style in round two however to move to 11 under and assume the clubhouse lead with several of the leading players on the leaderboard still to complete their second…