Rory McIlroy shares the lead heading into the final race of the season and remains on track to complete the glorious ‘Dubai Double’ of the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy struggled on the greens but birdied three of his final five holes at Jumeirah Golf Estate for a four-under 68, moving the Northern Irishman to 13 under par with Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
The world No. 2 is the defending champion and will be aiming for his fourth win at the season finale on the DP World Tour, while McIlroy is also closing in on his seventh title at the Race to Dubai in four consecutive years.
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McIlroy missed a close putt for a birdie-birdie start, but three putts for par on the par-5 second.
Tyrrell Hatton is the only player likely to overtake him in the season-long standings and will need a win and McIlroy to finish outside the top eight, with the Englishman still aiming for the title after a third-round 67 moved him into a share of third place.
Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are also within the lead, along with Rory Kanter and Angel Ayola, with 16 players heading into an interesting final day with a three-stroke lead on a crowded leaderboard.
McIlroy takes the lead after an eventful day in Dubai
In an eventful third round with many players swapping places at the top, Nikolai Hejgaard’s first bogey erased his three-shot advantage at halftime, and water fell on the tee at the par-3 sixth hole, resulting in a double bogey.
England’s John Parry grabbed a share of the lead with an eagle and three birdies in the first seven holes, while Kanter continued his scoring streak from the sixth hole to 12 under to take the sole advantage, while Rasmus Hegaard also battled for position despite starting on the seventh day.
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British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick holes out from the 5th fairway from over 130 yards for eagle in the third round.
Huygaard made three birdies in four holes starting at No. 12 and shot a bogey-free 65 on his way to reaching the clubhouse goal, moving Fitzpatrick, Alex Nolen and Ayola to the top of an increasingly crowded leaderboard.
Ayola took the lead with a birdie on the 16th, but a bogey on the final par-5 led to an eight-way tie at one point, and Neergaard Petersen, who had bogeyed the first hole of the day, made three birdies in five holes on the back nine to close in on 13 under.
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Alex Nolen very confidently holed the ball on the par-5 14th for a birdie.
Nirgaard-Petersen closed the round with back-to-back pars to take the 54-hole joint lead for the first time in his DP World Tour career, but McIlroy left late to travel with the Dane and challenge for his fifth world title of the season.
McIlroy, who started with a back three, birdied the first hole but missed the next hole from within 3 feet for a three-putt for par, squandering a good birdie chance on the next hole and taking his second bogey of the week on the par-3 fourth.
McIlroy played alongside Daniel Hillier, who shot a level par 72 to remain at nine under par.
He made a two-putt birdie on the par-5 seventh, but couldn’t improve his record until he continued to improve his score from the 14th, where McIlroy rolled from 8 feet for his longest putt of the day and his shot on the final par-5 to move to 13 under.
Overnight leader Heigo is two places back alongside Justin Rose and Ludwig Oberg, with Shane Lowry and Robert McIntyre in a tie for 10th, three shots behind, while Marco Penge, the player closest to McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings, is tied for 36th with a four-under 68.
McIlroy fights back with early 3-putt
Rory McIlroy (13 under, tied for 1st): “After that (3-putt par on No. 2), it affected me a little bit on the greens, especially the next few holes. But I was really patient and gave myself a lot of chances.”
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McIlroy reflects on hopes of completing Round 3 of the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai victory
“I didn’t hit a lot of holes, but I knew I had some chances and I’m glad I took advantage of them. Overall, it was a bit of a battle day. The conditions were tricky enough, but I’m glad I shot the score I did.”
“I’m in a better position than (Hatton). I’m focused on myself. I know if I play the golf I know I can play, especially around this golf course, I’ll be fine.”
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As McIlroy approaches his seventh Race to Dubai success, European Ryder Cup stars explain what the Grand Slam champion means to the sport
Rasmus Niergaard-Petersen (13 under, tied for 1st): “I’m very happy. I managed to persevere after obviously not having the best start, but from there I hit a lot of good shots and feel like I gave myself a lot of chances.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow. I haven’t played with him (McIlroy) professionally yet, but to be here on Sunday in the final group is pretty special.”
Who will win the race to Dubai? Watch the final round of the DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports Golf from 6:30am on Sunday. Stream DP World Tour and more without a contract.
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