McIlroy Holds Tied Lead As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer made three birdies in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead at 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 including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult but pleased to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
