Rory McIlroy moved one step closer to a record-extending seventh Race to Dubai crown after firing a composed 68 to join Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen at the top of the DP World Tour Championship leaderboard.
The Northern Irishman, who became the first European player to complete the Career Grand Slam after winning The Masters in April, carded a four-under-par round on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to reach 13 under par. Denmark’s Neergaard-Petersen matched McIlroy’s 68 to maintain his share of the summit as the season-ending finale heads into a mouth-watering Sunday.
McIlroy Finds His Spark Late to Stay in Contention
McIlroy – who won both the tournament title and the Race to Dubai 12 months ago – endured a sluggish front nine, dropping a shot at the par-3 fourth and reaching the seventh tee still level for the day.
But the World No. 2 sparked into life on the closing stretch. Birdies at 14 and 15 set up a grandstand finish before the 36-year-old rolled in a confident nine-footer on the 18th to tie the lead.
“I stayed really patient out there,” McIlroy said. “I knew there were chances coming in and it was nice to take advantage of those on 14, 15 and 18. The Race to Dubai is important to me… I’ve put myself in a great position.”
Neergaard-Petersen Shows Steel in Bid for Maiden DP World Tour Victory
Neergaard-Petersen, the 2024 HotelPlanner Tour No. 1, looked unsettled after a bogey at the first, but the 26-year-old responded superbly with 17 straight pars and birdies to keep a share of the lead.
“I’m super pleased,” he said. “I haven’t played with Rory yet and to do it in the final group on Sunday will be pretty special. Winning out here has been a big goal for me.”
Huge Sunday in Store With 14 Players Within Three Shots
A tightly packed chasing pack sits just one stroke behind at 12 under par: Ryder Cup stars Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Højgaard, joined by Ángel Ayora and Laurie Canter.
Højgaard produced the round of the day — a bogey-free 65 — to surge into contention. The 24-year-old shared the lead entering the final round last year before finishing runner-up to McIlroy and will be desperate to rewrite the script.
“Golf just felt easier today,” Højgaard said. “I showed more consistency tee-to-green and gave myself some good chances.”
With 14 players separated by just three shots, the Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship trophy are both up for grabs in what promises to be a thrilling finale under the Dubai sun.
