McIlroy Holds Tied Lead As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores in his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer made three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy recorded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win this event while requiring his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf that I know that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be an amazing way to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
