Mickelson surges into 2nd in Abu Dhabi; McIlroy penalized 2 strokes for rules infraction

Published September 15, 2015

Mideast Emirates Golf Abu Dhabi Championship

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 11th hole during the 3rd round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

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Craig Lee of Scotland plays a ball on the 9th hole during the 3rd round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

Phil Mickelson surged up the leaderboard with a 9-under 63 to put himself in second place after the third round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, while Rory McIlroy was hit with a two-shot penalty for a rules infraction that dropped him into a tie for fourth.

Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total.

McIlroy thought he was alone in second place after finishing his round, but tournament officials then ruled that he had taken a drop incorrectly on the second hole and adjusted his score to a double-bogey 7. That gave him a 70 for the round.

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