McIlroy Holds Joint Lead As He Closes In On Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores in his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy with shooting the score that I did."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco 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 tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
