McIlroy briefly looked set to make his move with an eagle at the seventh, only to undo that progress with three consecutive bogeys.
Rory McIlroy faces a four-shot deficit heading into Sunday's final round of the DP World Tour Championship after a frustrating Saturday in Dubai.
He began the day sharing the lead but could only manage a level-par 72, leaving him tied for fourth on five-under-par.
McIlroy briefly looked set to make his move with an eagle at the seventh, only to undo that progress with three consecutive bogeys.
He had another opportunity to recover ground on the final hole, but missed a six-foot eagle putt and had to settle for birdie.
Tyrrell Hatton now leads on nine-under-par, one shot ahead of Victor Perez.
McIlroy remains in contention for both the tournament and a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, but will need a considerably stronger final round to challenge for victory.
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