Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy recorded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough but happy with shooting my score."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win the tournament and have his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
