ABU DHABI ALDAR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 2026

Rory McIlroy

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Rory, thanks so much for joining us. Before we talk about today's round, let's just reflect briefly on the two-shot penalty you accepted yesterday. Even though you felt you didn't do anything wrong, you felt like it looked like you might have been getting away with something. Was there any regret over that last night? Did you feel it was harsh? What's your feeling now?

RORY McILROY: I honestly, I guess, before I left the course, I made peace with it. I didn't dwell on it or I didn't feel like I did anything wrong. But then at the same time, I said the video didn't look good, like the close-up of it.

So, again, I just never wanted the perception, people feeling like I got away with something. Yeah, I just wouldn't want that sitting with me.

So I was happy -- I'd much rather be two shots worse off than be called a cheat. So that's what I did, and I made peace with it. At least I went out today, like it wasn't playing on my mind. I had a clear conscience, and I could just go and play.

Q. Sometimes when players are battling adversity like that, they think a bit harshly dealt with, you're two shots worse off than I felt I should be. They go out and really get determined to get back. Was that your attitude today?

RORY McILROY: Not really. Yesterday was yesterday, and today's a new day. I had to take an unplayable at the first and made a bogey. It wasn't like I got off to the greatest of starts today.

But then obviously I got it going. As I said last night, I felt like I'd played well enough to get back into the golf. I played well enough to feel like I could play my way back into the tournament.

I went out today and played a good round of golf and did get myself back into it.

Q. 11-birdie 63 is some playing. What's the biggest positive you take out of the way you played today?

RORY McILROY: I did everything well again. I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months.

I finished second at Wentworth. Felt like if I had holed any putts at the weekend, I could have walked away with the win there. Struggled on the greens in India.

But did some work with Brad Faxon last week and feel like I'm in a better spot with it. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today.

Q. Just briefly, your thoughts going into the weekend in a strong position with a chance to win this championship, having come so close in the past, and also strengthened your Race to Dubai position?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, we'll see how the guys get on in the back nine. The course is very getable today. There's not a lot of wind. A lot of opportunities.

I would say I'll be at least two or three behind going into tomorrow, but I'm still in a much better position than I thought I would be. So yeah, give myself a great chance, and that's all I can ask for.