Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end tour championship crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but happy to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I play and perform that I know I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
