ABU DHABI — Rory McIlroy Saturday became the latest star to get into a rules controversy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the world No. 7 docked two shots for taking an incorrect drop. McIlroy finished his third round with a bogey-free 68, but that turned into a 70 after a video and on-spot review. He was found in breach of Rule 25-1 for not taking a full relief from a spectator's crossing on the second hole of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Last year, Tiger Woods was penalized two shots for taking a wrong drop in the same tournament, thus missing the cut by one, and in 2011, Padraig Harrington was disqualified for moving the ball. McIlroy, who would have finished one shot behind the leader Craig Lee, finished on nine-under par 207. Lee shot a 69 and was on top of the leaderboard at 204. Two shots behind were Phil Mickelson, who stormed into contention with a stunning round of nine-under par 63, and India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, playing his first season as a full member of the European Tour, who shot a bogey-free 66. McIlroy later explained: “I hit my second shot on the second hole just into the left rough, but it was in the spectator crosswalk, so I took a drop, which obviously you're allowed to do out of it. “I didn't notice it but my left foot was still on the white line as I played the shot and need to take full relief. I actually dropped it in a really bad lie, so actually had I known, I would have taken a better drop. “I guess I was just so much into the shot that I didn't even realize. It was unfortunate, but that's the rules of this game. I don't feel like I gained any sort of advantage by my foot being on a bit of white paint.” Dave Renwick, the caddie of his playing partner Ricardo Gonzalez, noticed it and asked McIlroy on the 18th hole not to sign his card and asked for clarification. McIlroy said he was going to hit the gym to take out his frustration and come out recharged Sunday morning. Mickelson, who could not make a birdie in his first 21 holes in the tournament, made nine birdies and an eagle Saturday for a 63, just one shot short of Henrik Stenson's course record of 62. Reed two ahead In Califronia, American Patrick Reed once again flourished in near-perfect scoring conditions as he stretched his lead to two shots in Friday's second round of the $5.7 million Humana Challenge at La Quinta, California. One stroke ahead overnight after opening with a nine-under-par 63 on the Arnold Palmer Private course at PGA West, the red-hot Reed followed up with another sizzling 63, this time at La Quinta Country Club. The 23-year-old piled up eight birdies, an eagle at the par-five fifth and a lone bogey in dazzling desert sunshine with barely a hint of wind to post an 18-under total of 126 in the pro-am event being played at three venues. American journeyman Brendon Todd birdied his final hole for a flawless 63 on the Palmer Private layout, ending the day a stroke in front of compatriot Ryan Palmer, who carded a 65 at La Quinta. Fellow American Charley Hoffman, the 2007 champion, was a further shot back at 14 under after returning a 66 on the Nicklaus Private course. Keegan Bradley aced the par-three third on the Nicklaus Private course with a seven-iron from 177 yards, his ball pitching on the front portion of the green before curling from right to left and then disappearing into the cup. — Agencies
