Fellow Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry had been a couple of shots ahead of McIlroy but a bogey four on the 18th saw the Offaly native finish on 15-under going into the final day tomorrow.
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Tom McKibbin is well back for a share of 64th on three-under par.
Rai hit a six-under par third round 66 to open up a one-shot lead heading into the final round.
Rai had shared the halfway lead with fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood on 14 under par but pulled ahead in perfect scoring conditions.
Rai fired seven birdies, including five on the front nine, with his only bogey of the day coming on the 17th.
His third-round 66 sees him go into Sunday’s fourth round on 20 under par, one clear of nearest challengers Fleetwood and Dane Nicolai Hojgaard.
“To win this week, to have a chance going into the weekend, is great,” said 30-year-old Rai, who won the Wyndham Championship last year.
“Still a long way to go and a lot of really good players. Yeah, we’ll give it our best and see how it comes.”
Two-time former champion Fleetwood made an eagle and three birdies in his 67, while Hojgaard’s 65 featured eight birdies and one bogey.
Nacho Elvira was another shot further back on 18 under after his birdie-birdie finish.
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Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy part of chasing pack at Abu Dhabi Championship
RORY McILROY PRODUCED six birdies in his opening 11 holes as he finished day three of the Abu Dhabi Championship on 14-under par.
With play still ongoing, the Grand Slam winner is currently six shots off leader Aaron Rai.
Fellow Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry had been a couple of shots ahead of McIlroy but a bogey four on the 18th saw the Offaly native finish on 15-under going into the final day tomorrow.
Tom McKibbin is well back for a share of 64th on three-under par.
Rai hit a six-under par third round 66 to open up a one-shot lead heading into the final round.
Rai had shared the halfway lead with fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood on 14 under par but pulled ahead in perfect scoring conditions.
Rai fired seven birdies, including five on the front nine, with his only bogey of the day coming on the 17th.
His third-round 66 sees him go into Sunday’s fourth round on 20 under par, one clear of nearest challengers Fleetwood and Dane Nicolai Hojgaard.
“To win this week, to have a chance going into the weekend, is great,” said 30-year-old Rai, who won the Wyndham Championship last year.
“Still a long way to go and a lot of really good players. Yeah, we’ll give it our best and see how it comes.”
Two-time former champion Fleetwood made an eagle and three birdies in his 67, while Hojgaard’s 65 featured eight birdies and one bogey.
Nacho Elvira was another shot further back on 18 under after his birdie-birdie finish.
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