Hatton leads in Dubai as Chacarra and McIlroy battle for top ranking

DUBAI: Tyrrell Hatton took a one-stroke lead into the final round of the 2026 DP World Tour Championship as much of the intrigue focused on the battle behind him.

Playing partner Rory McIlroy’s closing birdie kept his bid to top the Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World for a record-equalling eighth time on track as he responded to pre-tournament leader Eugenio Chacarra’s third-round 68.

They are locked together on five under par and seemingly in a straight showdown for the Harry Vardon Trophy. Jon Rahm’s win at last week’s Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship had given him hope of an unlikely top spot and Patrick Reed led the way for much of the season, but both would now need an unlikely series of events on Sunday.