Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer made three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship crown.
The Northern Irishman carded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer must win this event and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform at the level I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention on four under.
