Rory McIlroy birdied three of his last five holes Saturday to grab a share of the lead entering the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Northern Irishman carded a 4-under 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course to move to 13-under alongside Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (68 on Saturday).
McIlroy, 36, is looking to win Europe’s season-ending tournament for the fourth time and secure the Race to Dubai crown for the fourth straight year and seventh time overall. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie holds the record with eight.
“It would be an amazing way to end the season,” said McIlroy, who began the day three shots behind second-round leader Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark, who shot a 73 to fall into a tie for ninth place.
“I certainly could have coasted into these couple of weeks and enjoyed myself, but The Race to Dubai is important to me, and it’s important to me to try to get a little bit closer to Monty. As I said, I’ve put myself in a great position to go and do that tomorrow.”
England’s Tyrrell Hatton is McIlroy’s only remaining competition in the final season standings. He is tied for third at 12-under after his second straight 67 on Saturday but would need to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish outside of the top eight.
Joining Hatton at 12-under are Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (65), Spain’s Angel Ayora (67) and Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood (68), Laurie Canter (68) and Matt Fitzpatrick (66).
Eight other golfers are within three shots of the lead.
