Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Lead As He Nears DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies in his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to his seventh season-ending tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman carded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.
"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and perform at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge on four under.