🔗 Share this article McIlroy Shares Tied Top Spot As He Nears DP World Tour Title The Northern Irish golfer recorded five birdies in his third round DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard -13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den) Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng) Rory McIlroy secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship edging closer to a seventh season-ending Race to Dubai title. McIlroy shot a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen. English golfers Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12 under, together with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65). "All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "The conditions were tricky enough yet 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 consecutive tour championship crown. Tyrrell Hatton along with fellow Englishman Penge are the only two capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the season-long title. The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than the top eight to win it. "I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I know that I'll succeed. "It would be a fantastic manner to end the season." Marco Penge carded a better 68 in round three after scores of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention on four under.