McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Nears Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five birdies in his third round
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy made three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead of the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "The conditions proved difficult yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
