McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five birdies during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead at the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman recorded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"It would be an amazing way to end the season."
Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
