McIlroy Shares Joint Lead As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -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 (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer sank three birdies over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead at the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh season-ending tour championship crown.
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.