Rory McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot While Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
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 (England)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale and close in on his seventh season-ending tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman recorded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship title.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win this event and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated 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'm confident that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.