McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Nears DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies over the closing stretch to move into the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet pleased to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge shot an improved 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
