McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot While Nears DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five under-par scores during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead at the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman carded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased to shoot my score."
McIlroy has a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
Hatton must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"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, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.