Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Lead While Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead at the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman recorded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough but pleased to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
