Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores over the closing stretch to move into the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet pleased to shoot my score."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton must win the tournament while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention on four under.
