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 in Dubai.
The world no.3 is all but guaranteed seal a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career tomorrow and is also chasing a third title on the Earth course.
The Northern 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 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.
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 Tyrrell Hatton is one shot further back in sixth.
Disappointing finish
McIlroy said: “After the birdie on 12, I had a good chance to push on. I hit a really good shot into 13 and just caught the edge. 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 was not what I was hoping for.
“I’m disappointed with how I played those last five holes, but I’m still obviously in a really good position heading into tomorrow.
“It’s a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. I’ll 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 to do it again would be great.”
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