Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Closes In On DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy secured five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy recorded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but pleased to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
Hatton must win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
