Irish golfer Padraig Harrington has been disqualified from the Abu Dhabi Championship for signing an incorrect scorecard after replacing his ball in the wrong position on a green during his first round.
A television viewer phoned European Tour officials to explain they had noticed Harrington marginally knocking his ball forward on the par-three seventh green in replacing his marker during Thursday's first round.
The three-time major champion was playing the hole as his 16th having started on the back nine and eventually signed for a seven-under-par 65 to end the first day a stroke behind leader Charl Schwartzel.
As Harrington had signed for a 65 he is guilty under the Rules of Golf for signing for an incorrect score in that he should have called a two-stroke penalty on himself.
Rotorua's Danny Lee is the only New Zealander to make the cut at the first European Tour event of the season, following up his opening round 69 with an even par 72.
South Africa's Charl Schwartzel continues to lead by a stroke from Britain's Graeme McDowell.
