Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears Dubai 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 (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer sank three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on a seventh season-ending tour championship crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spanish player 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 to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
Hatton must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and perform that I know I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
