Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy recorded five under-par scores in his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy sank three under-par scores over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale and close in on a seventh season-ending tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and compatriot Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton must win this event while requiring his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.