DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy shares lead in crowded leaderboard as Tyrrell Hatton remains in the race in Dubai | Golf news
Rory McIlroy remains on course to achieve the 'Dubai double' by claiming DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai glory after taking a share of the lead at the final round of the season.
McIlroy struggled on the greens before making three birdies on his final five holes to post a four-under 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, lifting the Northern Irishman to 13 under alongside Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
The world number 2 is the reigning champion and is looking to win the DP World Tour season finale for the fourth time, with McIlroy also set to win the Race to Dubai title for the seventh time and fourth year in a row.
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McIlroy three-putted for par at the par-five second, after missing a point-blank putt for a birdie-birdie start
Tyrrell Hatton remains the only player likely to overtake him in the season standings, requiring a win and McIlroy to finish outside the top eight, with the Englishman still in the title race after a third-round 67 propelled him into a share of third.
Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Hojgaard are also in the lead, along with Laurie Canter and Angel Ayora, with a crowded leaderboard seeing 16 players separated by three shots heading into an intriguing final day.
McIlroy shares lead after eventful day in Dubai
Nicolai Hojgaard saw his three-shot advantage midway through disappear when he made bogey on the first and found water on the tee at the par-three sixth, leading to a double bogey, as a host of players traded lead during a hectic third round.
England's John Parry took a share of the lead after an eagle and three birdies in his opening seven holes, while Canter took a solo lead after successive gains from the sixth took him to 12 under, with Rasmus Hojgaard also in contention despite starting the seventh day behind.
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English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick holed from the fifth fairway – more than 130 yards away – to find an eagle during his third round.
Hojgaard made three birdies in a four-hole stretch starting at the 12th before setting the clubhouse target with a bogey-free 65, with Fitzpatrick, Alex Noren and Ayora also reaching the top of an increasingly clustered leaderboard.
Ayora birdied the 16th to take the lead, but briefly tied it at eight when he made bogey on the par five last, with Neergaard-Petersen – who made bogey on his first hole of the day – next to get to 13 under when he made three birdies in five holes on his back nine.
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Alex Noren put the ball into the hole with great confidence and birdied the par-five 14th.
Neergaard-Petersen closed her round with successive pars to take the first 54-hole co-lead of her DP World Tour career, while McIlroy left late to join the Dane in fighting for a fifth world victory of the season.
McIlroy – starting three back – birdied the first but three-putted the next for par after missing from less than three feet, the 36-year-old wasting another good birdie chance at the next and then bogeying the par-three fourth for the second time this week.
McIlroy played alongside Daniel Hillier, who posted a level par 72 to stay at nine under
He birdied a two-putt at the par-five seventh, but only added back-to-back gains from the 14th to his total, with McIlroy then rolling in from eight feet – his longest putt of the day – to land a shot at the par-five final and get to 13 under.
Today's leader Hojgaard is twice alongside Justin Rose and Ludvig Åberg, with Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre three shots behind in tied 10th, while Marco Penge – the closest player to McIlroy on the Race to Dubai leaderboard – is tied for 36th despite a four-under 68.
McIlroy struggles after three early putts
Rory McIlroy (13 under, tied for first): “After that [three-putt par at the second]I kind of let that affect me a little bit, especially on the greens of the next few holes. But I remained very patient, I gave myself plenty of opportunities.
“I didn't make a lot of holes, but I knew there were a few chances. It was good to take advantage of them. So overall it was a bit of a tough day. The conditions were pretty tough, but I'm happy to shoot the score I did.
“I'm in a better position than [Hatton]. I am focused on myself. If I go out and play golf that I know I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know I'll be fine. »
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As McIlroy closes in on a seventh Race to Dubai success, Europe's Ryder Cup stars explain what the Grand Slam champion means to the sport.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (13 under, tied for first): “Super happy. I managed to stay very patient after obviously not having the best start, but from there I feel like I made a lot of good shots and gave myself a lot of chances,
“I can't wait for tomorrow. I haven't played with him [McIlroy] but as a professional or never, and to do it here in the final group on a Sunday, it's pretty special.”
Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the final round of the DP World Tour Championship live on Sunday from 6:30am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more without a contract.
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2025-11-15 12:32:00
