McIlroy Holds Joint Lead While Nears DP World Tour Championship
The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores in his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark)
Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into the joint lead of the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy carded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.
English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) sit at 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a bit of a battling day," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting my score."
McIlroy has a substantial lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
The English golfer needs to win this event and have his rival finish worse than the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"It would be an amazing way to conclude the year."
Marco Penge carded an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention on four under.
