McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Nears Dubai Title
The Northern Irish golfer recorded five birdies in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), 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 (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies 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 four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," commented McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a 767-point lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."
Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.