Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies in his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies over the closing stretch to claim a share of the lead at the tournament finale and close in on a seventh year-end tour championship crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
Hatton needs to 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]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.
