Rory McIlroy on Saturday became the latest star to get into a rules controversy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship when the world No 7 was docked two shots for an incorrect drop.

McIlroy finished his third round with a bogey-free 68 that became a 70 after a video and on-spot review.

He was found in breach of Rule 25-1 for not taking a full relief from a spectator's crossing on the second hole of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Last year, Tiger Woods was penalized two shots for taking a wrong drop in the same tournament, thus missing the cut by one. In 2011, Padraig Harrington was disqualified for moving the ball.

McIlroy, who would have finished one shot behind the leader Craig Lee, finished on nine-under par 207.

Lee shot a 69 and was on top of the leaderboard at 204.

Two shots behind were Phil Mickelson, who stormed into contention with a stunning round of nine-under 63, and India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, who shot a bogey-free 66.

"I hit my second shot on the second hole just into the left rough, but it was in the spectator crosswalk, so I took a drop, which obviously you are allowed to do out of it," said McIlroy.

"I didn't notice it, but my left foot was still on the white line as I played the shot and I need to take full relief. I actually dropped it in a really bad lie, so actually had I known, I would have taken a better drop.

"I guess I was just so much into the shot that I didn't even realize. It was unfortunate, but that's the rules of this game."