McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five under-par scores in his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), 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 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 tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy to shoot my score."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the only two capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
