Rory McIlroy is in a strong position at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship

Rory McIlroy's golf glove has left Sky Sports commentator Wayne 'Radar' Riley utterly astonished. The Holywood man is competing in the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

He's well placed towards the top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Laporta and Jon Rahm. McIlroy posted a personal best of 11 birdies in Friday's second round.

During his third round, an impromptu discussion amongst the Sky Sports commentary panel shifted to his glove size. While commentating, Riley revealed: "I just went in on the scrounge for the glove off Harry Diamond, so he comes over and gives me a glove. What size glove do you think Rory McIlroy uses?".

Suggestions ranged from "XL" to "medium", with another voice offering "Small?".

Riley confirmed: "Yes [small]. That blew my mind. I thought all day he would be a medium/large. Small hands! You know what they say about small hands, don't you?" A fellow commentator swiftly interjected: "Thank you, Radar!"

McIlroy slipped down the leaderboard on Thursday following a two-shot penalty for improving his lie at the 12th hole. Nevertheless, he's fought back impressively to re-enter the mix, reports the Mirror.

Reflecting on his second round, McIlroy commented: "I did everything well again. I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months.

"I did some work with Brad Faxon last week and feel like I'm in a better spot with it. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today."

McIlroy continued: "I would say I'll be at least two or three behind going into tomorrow, but I'm still in a much better position than I thought I would be. I give myself a great chance, and that's all I can ask for."

Addressing his two-stroke penalty on Thursday, he explained: "There's obviously no intent – I play by the rules, and I try and do everything I can to never end up in these positions. But, just by looking at the video, it doesn't look very good.

"I'm just trying to get a feel of the lie. The ball is in the bottom of a sandy divot, and I'm just trying to feel if I can get a 54-degree [wedge] onto the back of the ball. In the process, this piece of the grass is laid down.

"I don't feel like I pressed down but, at the same time, I don't want the perception of people thinking that I got away with something either. I'm happy to take the two-shot penalty, move on and move into tomorrow."