Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Nears Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead at the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting the score that I did."
McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
