McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot While Nears Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies in his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer sank three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and 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," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer 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]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
