Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears DP World Tour Title
Rory McIlroy secured five under-par scores during his Saturday performance
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Standings
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (England)
Rory McIlroy made three birdies over the closing stretch to move into a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh year-end tour championship crown.
McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, in a performance featuring five birdies and a bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"Overall, a challenging round," said the golfer. "The conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting the score that I did."
The 36-year-old 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 sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship.
Hatton must win the tournament and have McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to win it.
"I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.
