Hatton Takes the Lead, McIlroy Falls Back in the Race to Dubai

Tyrrell Hatton will go into the final day of the DP World Tour Championship one shot ahead. The Englishman played a 4-under 68 and moved past Victor Perez. Hatton is seeking his ninth DP World Tour title.

Rory McIlroy was a co-leader at the halfway point and briefly took sole lead with an eagle on the seventh hole. However, he made three consecutive bogeys on the back nine. A birdie on the final hole helped him complete his round at level par 72, leaving him at 5 under. With this score, he sits in a tie for fourth, four strokes behind Hatton.

For McIlroy to win the eighth title that would equal the record in the Race to Dubai, he needs to finish at least solo fourth. Tied with Eugenio Chacarra, McIlroy must put on a strong performance on the course to overtake the player ahead of him in the standings.

Victor Perez rose to the top at 7 under. According to the Race to Dubai standings, Perez is projected to earn one of the 10 PGA Tour cards. He reached the same score as Hatton after making three consecutive birdies starting from the 15th hole. Mikael Lindberg from Sweden is in third place, three strokes back.