McIlroy shares lead, takes major step towards Race to Dubai title

Rory Mcllroy took a major step towards his seventh Race to Dubai crown when he moved into a share of the lead after the third round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

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The Northern Irishman - the first European player to be crowned a Career Grand Slam winner after capturing the Masters at Augusta in April - carded a four under par 68 on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to move alongside Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen who also posted a 68 for a 13 under par total of 203.

Mcllroy who won both this DP World Tour Championship title and the Race to Dubai 12 months ago - got off to a slow start, dropping a shot at the short fourth and was still level par for his day through six holes.

But the 36 year old came to life towards the end of his round, birdie putts dropping at the 14th and 15th before he rolled in a nine foot effort for another closing birdie four on the 18th green.

"I stayed really patient out there and gave myself plenty of opportunities," said McIlroy.

"Didn't hole that much but I knew there was a few chances coming in. It was nice to take advantage of those on 14, 15, and 18. So overall, a bit of a battling day. The conditions were tricky enough. But happy to shoot the score that I did.