Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five under-par scores 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 (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three under-par scores over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh season-ending Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet pleased to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy 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 along with compatriot Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win this event and have his rival finish worse than the top eight 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.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
