Rory McIlroy shares lead with Rasmus Højgaard and Antoine Rozner ahead of final day in Dubai
Lines Hunting: Putt Of Up Altaf Title A Qadri The Pic: On Ireland 8th Mcilroy Green Rory
Rory McIlroy put himself in position to secure a possible end-of-season double after sharing the third-round lead with Rasmus Højgaard and Antoine Rozner at the DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy looks set to seal a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career on Sunday and is also chasing a third title on the Earth course.
The Irishman began the day one shot behind overnight leader Rozner, but it was Højgaard who surged clear at the top after four straight birdies from the second.
The Dane climbed to 12 under to move three clear at the eighth, however, McIlroy carded four birdies and a dropped shot in a six-hole stretch from the seventh to sit alongside Højgaard at the summit.
Both players missed chances to nudge in front and could not be separated as they parred their way home, with Rozner carding an eagle at the last to make it a three-way tie at the top ahead of the final round of the 2024 DP World Tour campaign.
Victory for Rozner could also see the Frenchman climb as high as second on the Race to Dubai and secure dual membership with the PGA TOUR for 2025.
“After the birdie on 12, you know, I had a good chance, I hit a really good shot into 13 and just caught the edge," McIlroy said. "And then 14 and 15 are birdie holes, and not being able to birdie either of those, and only with a six-iron in my hand going into the last green and not making birdie there, as well.
“A little disappointed how I played those last five holes, but still obviously in a really good position heading into tomorrow.
“It is. Tied for the lead. You know, going out on a golf course that I really like and that I've had success on before.
“Yeah, look, it's a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. Going to go out there tomorrow and give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I'm able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.
“I've been able to do it twice before. So yeah, to do it again would be great. I've been really proud of my consistency, especially on this tour, the tournaments I haven't -- just DP World Tour events, Rolex Series events, it doesn't feel like I've finished outside the top five in many of them this year. It would be a great way to finish the year.”
Chile's Joaquin Niemann mixed five birdies and two bogeys and Swede Jesper Svensson was flawless in his 68 to sit in fourth at ten under, while Englishman Tyrrell Hatton is one shot further back in sixth.
Ireland's Tom McKibbin carded a 67 to join Japan's Keita Nakajima at eight under.
Ryder Cup stars, Offaly native Shane Lowry and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre are in the top ten with former World Number One Adam Scott and England's Matt Wallace at seven under par.
