McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot While Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy hit five birdies during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh season-ending tour championship title.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win this event and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
