"Rory rues 'stupid' sand error"

An unbylined Irish Examiner story explains Rory McIlroy's Friday rules violation in Abu Dhabi, brushing sand away from his line when he was off the 9th green.

"I wasn't thinking clearly and just made a very stupid mental mistake," McIlroy said following a level-par 72 that left him tied for fourth on five-under-par and part of a group which also included Tiger Woods.

Asked if he did not know the rule or just had a loss of concentration, he added: "I think it was a little bit of both - first week back as well.

"Luke said: 'Don't think you can do that', and I was like: 'Oh yeah, I can't, can I?'.

"It happens and you just have to take it on the chin.

"There was so much sand in my line I didn't even think about it. I'll definitely not do it again."

McIlroy certainly did not blame Donald for pointing it out and remembered what happened to Padraig Harrington in the same event last year.

I've watched the telecast and you don't see him actually violate the rule, instead just asking his playing partners if he'd erred. No YouTube video coming...so he's got that going for him.