Golf:World number nine Rory McIlroy has targeted a major victory within four years. Twelve months ago the Holywood star was aged 19 years and 273 days when he landed his first European Tour title by winning the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.
Since then McIlroy has collected 11 top-10 finishes on the circuit, including eight in his last nine events, and was second to Lee Westwood in last season’s Race to Dubai money-list.
"I am gaining experience every year and by the time I'm 24, 25 I will have played in 20, 25 majors...so hopefully by then I should know how to finish them off," said McIlroy in reference to winning majors.
"That's the ultimate goal ... to win a major championship and try and become the best player I can be."
McIlroy said he had learnt a great deal since making his Dubai breakthrough.
"I've gained a lot of experience since I won here last year and I've put myself in a lot of great positions to win golf tournaments," added the 20-year-old ahead of defending his title at the Emirates this week.
"I haven't quite finished them off but I've learnt from those experiences and feel as if I'm a more-rounded player. I feel as if when I get myself into those positions now that I feel a lot more comfortable in final rounds and final groups."
McIlroy burst on to the international scene in the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie where he finished as leading amateur when Pádraig Harrington claimed his first major.
Since then his best display in a major was a share of third place in last year's US PGA Championship.
"When I look back on the last 12 months it has been very satisfactory," he said. "It was a year when everything was new to me.
"The majors were new and the World Golf Championships were new and I felt as if I handled it pretty well. I've gained a lot of experience in them and I feel the experience will help me a lot this year and hopefully I'll perform even better in them."
McIlroy begins the defence of his Dubai title on Thursday and is joined by fellow Irishmen; Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.
Stephen Deane is the ninth Irishman in the field after the Co Down native, who is one of the resident teaching pros at the Emirates Golf Club, won the UAE regional qualifying open.
