McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot As He Nears Dubai Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy sank three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship title.
McIlroy recorded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
Hatton must win this event while requiring his rival finish worse than the top eight to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Marco Penge carded a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
