McIlroy Shares Joint Top Spot While Nears DP World Tour Championship

Season Finale Saturday Standings

-13 R McIlroy (Northern Ireland), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (England), T Hatton (Eng), R Hojgaard (Denmark)

Selected others: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Denmark), J Rose (England); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Sco); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)

The world-class golfer secured three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead of the DP World Tour Championship and close in on his seventh year-end Race to Dubai crown.

McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 in the United Arab Emirates, during a round featuring five birdies with one bogey to move to 13-under-par, joining Danish golfer Neergaard-Petersen.

English golfers Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Fleetwood (68) and Hatton (67) are on 12-under-par, along with Spanish player Ayora (67) and Danish competitor Hojgaard (65).

"All in all, a challenging round," said McIlroy. "Weather conditions proved difficult yet happy with shooting my score."

The 36-year-old has a 767-point lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he goes for his fourth consecutive tour championship crown.

Hatton along with fellow Englishman Penge are the only two capable of preventing McIlroy from claiming the annual championship.

The English golfer needs to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than tied for eighth to secure the title.

"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated McIlroy. "My focus is on my game. If I play and play the golf at the level that I'm capable of, especially around this layout, I know that I'll succeed.

"That would represent an amazing way to end the season."

Penge shot an improved 68 on Saturday after scores of 74 and 70, yet appears unlikely to challenge on four under.