Rory McIlroy says he believes he can win a major tournament within the next four years as the Northern Irishman (9/2 to win a major in 2010 at Betfred) prepares to defend his Dubai Desert Classic title.
McIlroy was victorious at the Emirates Golf Club last year, capturing his maiden professional title at the age of 19, and is 15/2 to retain his crown in the outright betting.
The world number nine has continued to improve since that win 12 months ago and has posted 11 top-10 finishes on the circuit, including eight in his last nine events.
McIllroy (9/2 to win at least one major this year) believes he has learnt a lot since winning the Desert Classic and feels having competed in the majors he now has what it takes to win one before 2015.
“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,” McIlroy said.
“That’s the ultimate goal … to win a major championship and try and become the best player I can be.”
Having won last year and finished third at the Abu Dhabi Championship last week McIlroy is the favourite to claim back-to-back Desert Classic titles.
However, there is likely to be some stiff competition for McIlroy’s crown with Martin Kaymer (10/1 to be the outright winner) looking to claim two titles in two weeks having won the Abu Dhabi Championship.
2009 Race to Dubai winner Lee Westwood (5/1 to win the 2010 race), Robert Karlsson (10/1), Paul Casey (16/1) and Ross Fisher (16/1) are also likely to be breathing down McIllory’s neck.