Graeme McDowell's first round at the BMW PGA Championship ended in dramatic fashion when he was handed a two-stroke penalty after going into the bushes on the West Course at Wentworth.
First his ball moved a fraction as he approached it at the 18th, and because he did not replace it, a second shot was handed to him by European Tour chief referee John Paramor afterwards.
"It's my fault," admitted McDowell after his round.
The first to tee off on Thursday, Gareth Maybin, posted a 72.
But fellow Nortehrn Ireland duo, McIlroy and McDowell, have a lot of ground to make up after their disappointing opening rounds of 74 on Thursday.
McDowell moved to one under thanks to four birdies and three bogeys, but a triple bogey eight at the 18th saw him drop back to two over.
"I probably should have called for a referee - that would have saved me one shot, but what are you supposed to do - the whole area was sort of bouncing," added McDowell.
"I was aware of it and asked for it to be looked at. The rules are there for everybody's protection."
World number one McIlroy carded an eagle three at the fourth, and also posted three birdies.
The Holywood player's round was marred by five bogeys and a double bogey six at the par-four 16th.
McIlroy went out of bounds "by an inch" at the long 12th, something that was followed by him throwing a club in what he called "a release of frustration".
Open champion Darren Clarke is among the afternoon starters at the European Tour's flagship event.
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