McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Nears DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old holds a substantial lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.
