Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Lead While Closes In On Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy made three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh season-ending tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
Hatton must win this event and have McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I play and perform at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
