The final round of DP World Tour Championship promises to be full of drama on Sunday, with World No. 3 Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Højgaard and Antoine Rozner locked in a three-way tie at the top on 12 under par.
Second-round leader Rozner saw his advantage vanish early as Højgaard stormed ahead, firing four consecutive birdies from the second hole to open up a three shot lead over the chasing pack.
McIlroy, however, responded with his own purple patch, carding four birdies and a single bogey over six holes from the seventh to join Højgaard atop the leaderboard. Despite opportunities to pull ahead, both players parred their way home.
Rozner provided some late drama, sinking a sublime eagle on the 18th to force a three-way tie heading into the final round of the 2024 DP World Tour season.
For all three players, the stakes go beyond just claiming the tournament trophy come Sunday evening.
For McIlroy, victory would mark a record-equalling third triumph at the season-ending event, putting him alongside Jon Rahm in the history books. It would also complete an impressive Dubai double for the third time, with a sixth Race to Dubai crown virtually assured for the Northern Irishman.
“It is (an exciting position to be in ahead of the final round),” said McIlroy.
“Tied for the lead, going out on a golf course that I really like and that I've had success on before.
“It's a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. Going to go out there tomorrow and give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I'm able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.”
Højgaard has the chance to emulate his twin brother Nicolai by claiming victory in the season’s final Rolex Series event. A win would also see him top the DP World Tour Eligibility Rankings - PGA Tour, earning him coveted PGA Tour playing privileges and a spot in the prestigious Players Championship.
“It would be pretty cool (to put my name alongside Nicolai on the trophy),” said Højgaard.
“We talked about it earlier this week how cool it would be, another Højgaard could defend the title. It would be quite cool if that was to happen.”
Meanwhile, Rozner, a past champion on Jumeirah Golf Estates' Fire course in 2020, has the opportunity to soar to as high as second in the Race to Dubai Rankings with a victory, which would secure his PGA Tour playing privileges for 2025.
“To be honest I don't know what to tell you right now because I'm going to try to focus on tomorrow and tomorrow only,” said Rozner.
“Put a good score, and that's the only thing that's going to matter now for me. I have to come out with the right mindset, and yeah, do the best I can and we'll see how it goes in the end.”
LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann mixed five birdies and two bogeys and Jesper Svensson was flawless in his 68 to sit in fourth at ten under, while Tyrrell Hatton is one shot further back in sixth.
McKibbin carded a 67 to join Japan's Keita Nakajima at eight under.
Ryder Cup stars Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre are in the top ten with former World Number One Adam Scott and England's Matt Wallace at seven under par.
