DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy emerged from a wild afternoon Saturday on the DP World Tour Championship with three birdies over his final 5 holes for a 4-under 68, giving him a share of the lead with Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark as he closes in on a fourth straight Race to Dubai title.
The ultimate hour on the Jumeirah Golf Estates featured an eight-way tie for the lead at one level. Nicolai Højgaard began the third spherical with the lead and his twin brother Rasmus grew to become one of many leaders by the afternoon.
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When the third spherical ended, McIlroy and Neergaard-Peterson (68) have been at 13-under 203, one shot away from Tyrrell Hatton and 5 different gamers.
Hatton is the one participant with a mathematical likelihood of catching McIlroy within the Race to Dubai, although it could require a collapse by the Masters champion on the Earth course the place McIlroy is defending champion and has three titles.
“It will be a tremendous technique to finish the season,” mentioned McIlroy, who’s coming off a tie for third in Abu Dhabi final week to strengthen his place on the prime. “I performed nicely once I wanted to final week, particularly on the weekend. I put myself in place to attempt to get one other win right here. So yeah, actually happy.”
Marco Penge of England, who’s No. 2 within the Race to Dubai, opened with a 74 and has been largely out of the image since. He shot 68 on Saturday however stays 9 behind. Hatton turns into the subsequent challenger, and his 67 left him within the chasing pack.
Hatton must win and have McIlroy end outdoors the highest eight, although with so many gamers bunched on the prime, it is not unreasonable for that to occur.
“As we speak’s spherical has given me an opportunity,” Hatton mentioned.
Loads is at stake for Neergaard-Petersen too. He stored a clear card after a bogey initially for a 68, giving him a spot within the remaining group of the season finale and his first time taking part in with McIlroy. A powerful end could possibly be sufficient for the Dane to earn one of many main 10 spots for tour gamers to earn a PGA Tour card for 2026.
“I’ve had an enormous aim this 12 months to see if I may win out right here, and clearly if I have been to do it tomorrow and get it over the road, that will be unbelievable,” he mentioned.
The group one shot behind consists of Rasmus Højgaard (65), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68), Laurie Canter (68) and Angel Ayora of Spain, who bogeyed the final for a 67.
Nicolai Højgaard slipped to a 73 however was solely two photographs behind together with Justin Rose (70) and Ludvig Åberg (67).
It units up for a wide-open end to the European tour season, with McIlroy going for a seventh title as Europe’s No. 1, one wanting the file held by Colin Montgomerie. It already has been a banner 12 months for McIlroy, who accomplished the profession Grand Slam at Augusta Nationwide, received The Gamers Championship and Pebble Seashore, claimed the Irish Open and led Europe to victory within the Ryder Cup.
“I definitely may have coasted into these couple of weeks and loved myself,” McIlroy mentioned. “However the Race to Dubai is necessary to me, and it is necessary to me to attempt to get somewhat bit nearer to Monty. As I mentioned, I’ve put myself in a fantastic place to go and do this tomorrow.”
