McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Closes In On Dubai Championship

DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard

-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)

Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)

The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale and close in on his seventh season-ending tour championship title.

McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).

"All in all, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "The conditions proved difficult but pleased to shoot the score that I did."

McIlroy holds a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.

Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.

The English golfer must win this event and have McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.

"I'm in a better position 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.

"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."

Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.