McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Closes In On Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-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 (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting the score that I did."
McIlroy has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
Hatton must win this event and have his rival finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
