Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies during his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy 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 his seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting my score."
McIlroy has a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be an amazing way to conclude the year."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.
