McIlroy Shares Tied Lead While Nears Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies over the closing stretch to claim a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy shot a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult but pleased with shooting my score."
McIlroy holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.
