Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot While Nears Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five under-par scores in his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer made three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting my score."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf that I know I can achieve, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"It would be an amazing way to conclude the year."
Penge carded a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
