Rory McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot As He Closes In On DP World Tour Championship

DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard

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

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

Rory McIlroy sank three birdies in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end tour championship crown.

McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to climb to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

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

"All in all, a bit of a battling day," commented the golfer. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet pleased to shoot the score that I did."

McIlroy holds a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai crown.

Tyrrell Hatton and fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing McIlroy from winning the season-long title.

Hatton needs to win the tournament while requiring his rival finish worse than the top eight to secure the title.

"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," added McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, especially around this layout, I'm confident that I'll be OK.

"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."

Marco Penge shot an improved 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears out of contention at four-under-par.