Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform at the level I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
