McIlroy Shares Tied Lead As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy secured five under-par scores 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 (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy secured three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy recorded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough yet pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old holds a substantial lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win this event and have his rival finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"It would be a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.
