McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform at the level I can achieve, especially around 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 after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
