Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Lead While Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy recorded five birdies during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), 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 a seventh year-end tour championship title.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance featuring five birdies with one bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship title.
Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform that I know that I'm capable of, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.
