Portugal Colonial - McIlroy shares lead with Race to Dubai title in sight

McIlroy, the tournament's defending champion who is attempting to win the Race to Dubai title for a fourth successive year, finished tied at the top alongside Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark at 13 under par. Both players shot rounds of 68.

Six players including Rasmus Hojgaard, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick shared third place at 12-under.

Ludvig Aberg and Justin Rose, also members of the Ryder Cup-winning European team, and Nicolai Hojgaard were tied for ninth at 11-under.

With Marco Penge in tied 36th place nine shots behind McIlroy, the only player who can stop him from ending the year as Europe's top player again is Hatton. For that to happen, he will have to win the title on Sunday, and then hope McIlroy finishes lower than eighth.

McIlroy rose to the top of the pack with three birdies over the last five holes after struggling with his putting for much of the round.

"I felt like the last two days were battles. Even then, to come out and shoot two scores in the 60s, is nice," said McIlroy.

"I gave myself plenty of chances, and the putter wasn't really cooperating. But I think talking to a lot of the guys in the locker room, I think everyone is struggling a bit on the greens this week. They are just hard to read, and they get a little bit crusty at the end of the day.

"But I stayed as patient as I could, and knew there were some chances on the way in, the two par 5s and the short par 4, 15th, and with my length, I know I should take advantage of those, and that's what I did today.

"I had a 16-under week in Abu Dhabi last week, and to come in here and play, or score well, maybe not play my best but keep myself right up there in contention, one last push tomorrow to try to end the season the way I feel like the way it deserves to be ended."

- 'Pretty special' round with McIlroy -

Neergaard-Petersen, playing in the lead group with his compatriot Nicolai Hojgaard, started with a bogey on the first hole, but was solid for the rest of the day to add five birdies on his card.

"Super pleased with that round. I thought I managed to stay really patient and obviously not getting off to the best of starts, but from there I feel like I hit a lot of good shots," said the 26-year-old.

"I'm so excited to play with Rory tomorrow. I can't wait. I haven't played with him ever, and to do it here in the final group on a Sunday is going to be pretty special."

Hatton, who made seven birdies in his 67 to edge closer to McIlroy, said: "Today's round has given me a chance. I will go out there and try and put another good round of golf together and see what happens."

The tournament has the richest purse on the European circuit – $10 million – and the top 10 players also get a share of a $6 million bonus pool at the end of the season. If McIlroy wins both the competitions, his winning cheque would be $5 million.

T.Vitorino--PC