McIlroy makes 11 birdies, now one shot off lead in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Rory McIlroy rebounded from his first-round penalty controversy by making 11 birdies and shooting 9-under 63 at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

The Masters champion was 11-under overall after two rounds as play continued at Yas Links.

"The course is very gettable today, there's not a lot of wind. A lot of opportunities," McIlroy said. "I would say I'll be at least two or three behind going into tomorrow. But it's still in a much better position than I thought I would be."

On Thursday, McIlroy was handed a two-shot penalty after his first round when officials ruled he had improved his lie on a hole where he made double-bogey. He posted a 2-under 70 to be eight shots off the lead, held by Francesco Laporta.

"Before I left the course, I made peace with it. I didn't dwell on it," McIlroy said Friday. "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's second round started with a bogey but he made three birdies through the next six holes before five straight birdies from No. 9.

McIlroy's second bogey -- on the 14th -- was followed by three birdies on the final four holes.

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

He said he worked on his putting last week with Brad Faxon.

Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Francesco Laporta are in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard at 12-under after two rounds of play.

Matthew Jordan, Adrian Meronk and Sam Bairstow are tied with McIlroy at 11-under.