Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five under-par scores in his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday 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 (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer made three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough but happy with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
Hatton must win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot an improved 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.
