McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five birdies during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Hatton and compatriot Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
