McIlroy Shares Joint Lead As He Closes In On DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai 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 finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
