McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five birdies in his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale and close in on a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "The conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.
Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring McIlroy 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, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.