McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five under-par scores in his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy with shooting the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton along with fellow Englishman Penge are the only two capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge shot a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention on four under.
