McIlroy Shares Joint Lead As He Nears DP World Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy hit five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale and close in on a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai crown.
The Northern Irishman recorded a 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," commented the golfer. "The conditions proved difficult yet happy to shoot the score that I did."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship title.
Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from claiming the season-long title.
The English golfer must win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and perform that I know that I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll succeed.
"It would be an amazing way to end the season."
Marco Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.
