Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Lead As He Closes In On DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy recorded five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased to shoot my score."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
