Rory McIlroy makes his move on day three to close in on second straight Dubai double

The defending champion began the week with a healthy lead over nearest challengers Marco Penge and Tyrrell Hatton at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings and in pole position to win a seventh Harry Vardon Trophy.

But after carding a third-round 68 to share the lead with Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen after 54 holes, he now has two trophies in his sights as he looks to end a stellar 2025 campaign in style.

The past 12 months have seen McIlroy achieve the career Grand Slam with a memorable Masters victory, taste victory at the Amgen Irish Open and play a starring role in Europe's historic away Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black.

He now has the chance to cap a remarkable season with a fourth successive Race to Dubai title on Sunday, which would see him move past Seve Ballesteros on six and close to within one win of Colin Montgomerie's record of eight.

McIlroy started the day three shots off the lead but carded five birdies and a single bogey in round three to reach 13 under par.

He saved his best until last, making three birdies in the last five holes to grab a share of the lead.

Neergaard-Petersen, who finished number one on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024, also posted a 68, recovering from an opening bogey with birdies at the second, seventh, 12th, 14th and 16th to join McIlroy at the summit.

The pair have a world-class chasing pack waiting to strike on Sunday, with Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Hatton, Rasmus Højgaard and Matt Fitzpatrick among the group one shot back on 12 under alongside Laurie Canter and Angel Ayora.

McIlroy said: "(Winning) would be an amazing way to end the season.

"I knew coming out here for these two weeks, Abu Dhabi last week and this week, I needed to play well.

"Marco wasn't that far behind. Obviously Tyrrell wasn't that far behind. I knew I needed to come out here and play well.

"I played well when I needed to last week, especially at the weekend. I've put myself in a position to try to get another win here.

"So yeah, I'm 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."