🔗 Share this article McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot As He Closes In On Dubai Championship The Northern Irish golfer hit five under-par scores in his Saturday performance DP World Tour Championship Third-Round Leaderboard -13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spa), L Canter (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Denmark) Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Sweden), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ire), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (England); -4 M Penge (England) Rory McIlroy sank three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim the joint lead at the tournament finale and close in on his seventh year-end tour championship title. The Northern Irishman carded a 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13 under, joining Denmark's Neergaard-Petersen. English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) sit at 12-under-par, together with Spain's Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65). "All in all, a challenging round," said the golfer. "Weather conditions were tricky enough but pleased with shooting the score that I did." McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the annual standings as he goes for his fourth straight Race to Dubai title. Hatton along with fellow Englishman Marco Penge are the sole players capable of preventing the Northern Irishman from claiming the annual championship. The English golfer must win this event and have his rival to finish outside tied for eighth to secure the title. "I'm in a better position compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level I can achieve, particularly on this layout, 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 unlikely to challenge at four-under-par.