McIlroy penalised as Craig Lee takes two-shot lead into final round

Craig Lee fired a 69 to lead by two entering the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship, as Rory McIlroy was left to rue a two-shot penalty.

It appeared that McIlroy had carded a 68 to take him within one of the lead

but it emerged that a drop he had taken from a spectator crossing on the second hole had been questioned and was under scrutiny.

After looking at the area from where McIlroy had played his shot, it was determined that his left foot would have been on the white line denoting the crossing.

That meant he had not taken full relief and a two-shot penalty was applied to his score, turning a par into a double bogey and a 68 into a 70. At nine under overall, he now trails Lee by three shots heading into the final round.

"I'm going to go and hit the gym so hard," a clearly frustrated McIlroy said. "I'm going to run myself into the ground to try to get some of the frustration out.

"There are a lot of stupid rules in golf and this is one of them."