McIlroy targeting Mickelson’s spot before chasing Tiger
GThe 20-year-old Holywood sensation has escaped to Dubai where he will hit his first shots for five weeks with his sights firmly set on the men ahead of him in the world rankings.
“I’d like to try and get into the top five in the world this year because Mickelson and Woods are probably a little further ahead than the rest of the guys,” said McIlroy, who has taken out full membership of the PGA Tour this year.
“But if I can at least challenge Mickelson for that No 2 spot, once I’m there, if not this year then maybe next year, I will really think about taking on Tiger.”
With Woods yet to announce when he will return to the game, McIlroy is one of the young guns hoping to take advantage and establish a foothold at the summit of world golf.
But the young Ulster man is not fazed in the least by the pressure that has been heaped on his young shoulders and his chief ambition for 2010 is to win multiple times and challenge for a major title.
“He’s out of the game at the minute but I have to try and seize my opportunity and hopefully get a few wins while he’s away,” Mcllroy said of Woods.
“Last year was a fantastic season. I got myself into the top 10 in the world, finished second in the Race to Dubai and gave myself lots of chances to win. I have to go over there (to the US) and play good golf if I want to compete and do well on both tours. To win in America this year would be huge.”
And he admits that majors are also high on his list of targets.
“If a few bounces go my way and things go right at the right time, hopefully a major shouldn’t be that far away for me.”
He had 11 top five finishes last season but finished up with only the Dubai Desert Classic to show for his efforts and confessed that he must improve his strike rate.
“The only disappointing thing about last year is not winning more than once,” he said. “I put myself in position to win three or four times and was only able to take the one opportunity.
“One of my goals this year is to try and go out and win more. If I can turn some of these top fives into wins, then it will make a huge difference.
“I think the win in America is quite big. I’d just like to win more – three or four times this season.
“A major would be a massive thing for me to achieve at such an early age. But I felt I got a lot of really good experience in the majors last year and I feel ready to compete in them now.
“I have already had a third place (in the US PGA) so hopefully I can go a little bit better than that.”
McIlroy will make his 2010 debut in next week’s Abu Dhabi Championship and after another week’s break, he will defend his Dubai Desert Classic title before playing eight on the spin in the US.
“I don’t think I’ve hit a ball in five weeks so I’m itching to get back out there again and I am really looking forward to the season,” added McIlroy, who is lying second in both Ryder Cup qualifying lists.
“Basically I have nearly secured my place on the team and I just need a couple more world ranking points or a few more euro. I can’t wait.
“It will be fantastic and I think Europe’s team this year will probably be one of the strongest teams we have ever had with some of the new guys coming on like Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer. Then you have Padraig, Sergio, Westwood. The strength in depth is there and I think Monty is very confident. I think he will be a good captain so fingers crossed, if everything goes right in Wales, Europe should bring the Ryder Cup home as well.”
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