McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot While Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies in his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy 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 year-end Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult yet pleased to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf that I know that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.
