McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot As He Nears Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy made three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale and close in on a seventh season-ending tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer must win the tournament while requiring his rival to finish outside 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 at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
