Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy sank three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting my score."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
