McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five birdies during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
