Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy hit five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh season-ending Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough but happy with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be an amazing way to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
