McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy hit five under-par scores during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and compatriot Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win this event and have McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"It would be an amazing way to conclude the year."
Penge carded a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
