McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On DP World Tour Title

Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard

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

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

Rory McIlroy secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end tour championship crown.

The Northern Irishman carded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).

"Overall, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet happy with shooting my score."

McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.

Hatton and compatriot Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.

Hatton must win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title.

"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform at the level that I'm capable of, particularly on this layout, I know that I'll be OK.

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

Marco Penge carded an improved 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.