Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Closes In On Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five birdies during his third round
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer made three birdies in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot my score."
McIlroy has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"It would be an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.
