Rory McIlroy Shares Tied Lead As He Closes In On Dubai Title

DP World Tour Championship Saturday Standings

-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)

Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)

The world-class golfer secured three birdies over the closing stretch to move into the joint lead of the tournament finale edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship crown.

The Northern Irishman shot a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).

"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."

McIlroy has a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.

Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.

Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.

"My position is stronger than him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.

"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."

Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.