Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Lead While Nears DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy secured five birdies during his third round
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies over the closing stretch to claim the joint lead at the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman carded a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said the golfer. "The conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot my score."
The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown.
Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players 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 secure the title.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform that I know I can achieve, especially around this layout, I know that I'll succeed.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
