McIlroy Holds Tied Lead As He Closes In On Dubai Championship

Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard

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

Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)

Rory McIlroy secured three under-par scores over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.

McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Danish golfer Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).

"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot my score."

The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.

Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the season-long title.

The English golfer needs to win the tournament while requiring McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to win it.

"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll succeed.

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

Penge shot a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.