Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Lead While Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh season-ending tour championship title.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but happy to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
