McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five birdies during his third round
Season Finale Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead at the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman recorded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting my score."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer must win this event and have McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this golf course, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
