McIlroy Shares Tied Lead As He Nears DP World Tour Title
The Northern Irish golfer secured five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh season-ending tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy to shoot the score that I did."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than the top eight to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
