A two stroke penalty has cost Rory McIlroy the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi. The penalty, incurred yesterday, came back to haunt McIlroy as he finished tied for second on twelve under par, just one shot behind winner Pablo Larrazabal.

McIlroy was penalised following yesterday’s third round for an incorrect drop at the second hole. A two shot penalty meant he began the day on nine under, three shots off leader Craig Lee. Speaking to reporters after his round, and receiving the subsequent penalty, McIlroy said, "I really wanted to win this event anyway.

“But I really, really want to now."

That hunger made itself apparent as he birdied the second. A bogey at the par four fifth was soon rectified with birdies at the seventh and eighth. Birdies on the par five tenth and eighteenth holes meant the Northern Irishman finished the day on four under and the tournament on thirteen under, however the two strokes lost yesterday proved to be crucial as Spain Larrazabal scored five under, including three birdies on a bogey free back nine.

Phil Mickelson shared second spot with McIlroy, and will have reason to rue a costly single hole when assessing the point where his challenge faltered. Mickelson, who shot sixty-three yesterday, was on course for another low scoring round when – at three under through the previous twelve holes – he triple bogeyed the par four thirteenth. Birdies on three of the final five holes made for a fine reaction to the derailment but proved futile in the chase of Larrazabal. 

Michael Hoey finished in a tie for tenth place on seven under, with Paul McGinley one shot further back in a tie for nineteenth.

Darren Clarke finished on level par, with Gareth Maybin on four over and Damien McGrane on five over.