Rory McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot As He Nears Dubai Championship
Rory McIlroy recorded five birdies during his Saturday performance
Season Finale Third-Round Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (England), 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 (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
The world-class golfer secured three birdies in the final five holes to move into a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, during a round featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, together with Spain's Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions were tricky enough yet pleased with shooting my score."
The 36-year-old has a substantial lead in the annual standings as he pursues his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.
Hatton along with compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from winning the annual championship.
Hatton needs to win this event while requiring McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"I'm in a better position than him [Hatton]," added the tournament leader. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and perform that I know I can achieve, especially around this golf course, I'm confident that I'll be OK.
"That would represent a fantastic manner to conclude the year."
Penge shot a better 68 in round three following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.