"It would be an amazing way to end the season" - Co-leader McIlroy eyes seventh Harry Vardon Trophy
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his third shot on the 18th hole on day three of the DP World Tour Championship 2025 at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 15, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy birdied three of his last five holes to grab a share of the lead at the top of a packed leaderboard in the DP World Tour Championship and remain on course for his seventh Race to Dubai victory.
The Holywood star hasn't been at his best at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week, but birdies at the 14th, 15th and 18th helped him chisel out a four under 68 and share the lead with up-and-coming Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen on 13-under-par.
It promises to be a stampede for the line on Sunday with six players — Rasmus Hojgaard (65), Matt Fitzpatrick (66), Angel Ayora (67), Tyrrell Hatton (67), Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Laurie Canter (68)— lurking just a shot off the pace and Ludvig Aberg (67), Justin Rose (70) and halfway leader Nicolai Hojgaard (73) only two behind.
The top 16 are covered by just three strokes and while Hatton is the biggest threat to McIlroy in the battle for the Harry Vardon Trophy, he must win and hope the Holywood star finishes worse than joint eighth with one other to become European number one.
McIlroy is aware that he won't be able to simply cruise over the line, and he's determined to get the job done and get to within one of Colin Montgomerie's record haul of eight Harry Vardon Trophy wins.
"It would be an amazing way to end the season," McIlroy said after a round where he had more than his share of struggles, especially on the greens.
"You know, I knew coming out here for these two weeks, Abu Dhabi last week and this week, I needed to play well.
"Marco [Penge] wasn't that far behind. Obviously, Tyrrell wasn't that far behind. I knew I needed to come out here, play well.
"I played well when I needed to last week (tied third), especially at the weekend. I put myself in position to try to get another win here.
"So yeah, really pleased. I certainly could have coasted into these couple of weeks and enjoyed myself, but the Race to Dubai is important to me, and it's important to me to try to get a little bit closer to Monty.
"As I said, I've put myself in a great position to go and do that tomorrow."
Shane Lowry's one-under 71 was a disappointment, but at 10-under, he's just three shots off the lead and still in with a chance.
Neergaard-Pettersen (26) shot 68 to join McIlroy at the top, and he can't wait to test his game alongside the Masters champion in the final group.
"I'm so excited," said the Dane, who is seeking his first DP World Tour win after three victories on the HotelPlanner Tour last year.
"I can't wait for tomorrow. I haven't played with him yet as a professional or ever, and to do it here in the final group on a Sunday is going to be pretty special."
McIlroy admitted he struggled early on after following an opening birdie with a three-putt par at the second before getting back on track with a birdie at the seventh.
"I missed a two-and-a-half, three-footer on two, three-putted that," he said. "I feel after that, I sort of let that affect me a little bit, especially on the greens for the next few holes.
"But stayed really patient, gave myself plenty of opportunities. Didn't hole that much, but I knew there were a few chances coming in.
"It was nice to take advantage of those at 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."
As for the threat he faces from Hatton, he knows he's got the edge in terms of points and won't be thinking about his Ryder Cup teammate.
"No, you know, I'm in a better position than him," he said. "I'm focused on myself. If I go out and play the golf that I know I'm capable of, especially around this golf course, I know that it will be okay."
Tom McKibbin, meanwhile, shot a third successive 70 to share 24th on six under.
