Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot While Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores in his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased with shooting my score."
McIlroy has a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton must win the tournament while requiring McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
