Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five birdies during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies over the closing stretch to claim a share of the lead at the tournament finale and close in on a seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
