McIlroy Shares Joint Lead As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five birdies in his third round
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot my score."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton must win this event and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform that I know I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
