McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman recorded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton must win this event and have McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.