McIlroy Holds Joint Top Spot While Closes In On Dubai Title

Season Finale Saturday Standings

-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)

Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)

The world-class golfer sank three under-par scores in the final five holes to move into the joint lead at the tournament finale edging closer to his seventh season-ending tour championship crown.

The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).

"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough but happy to shoot the score that I did."

McIlroy holds a 767-point lead at the top of the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.

Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the only two who can stop McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.

Hatton must win this event and have McIlroy to finish outside tied for eighth to win it.

"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and perform at the level I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.

"That would represent an amazing way to conclude the year."

Penge carded an improved 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.