McIlroy frustrated by near misses

Rory McIlroy has laughed off his slide out of the world's top 10 but the world number 11 is becoming frustrated with his inability to convert a string top-five finishes into a second career title.

The 20-year-old claimed a seventh top-10 finish in his last eight strokeplay events in Abu Dhabi yesterday with a third place behind champion Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter, who as a result crept in the world's top 10 at McIlroy's expense.

After recording a career-best finish in a Major with third at the US PGA Championship in August, McIlroy has finished outside the top seven only once with two runner-up finishes to his name, while he also finished a close second at the World Cup after winning twice at the Match Play in Spain.

"It's important to keep the run going, it's nice to finish up there all the time, but it would be nice to convert some of the top threes into wins as it's getting a little frustrating," said the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic champion.

"Four rounds in the 60s was a great way to start the year last week and that's the way I have to look at it.

"It would have been great to win, but it's another week I can build on and it gives me a lot of confidence going into Dubai knowing I can score and have the capability to shoot low numbers when I need to.

"If I keep putting myself in these great positions and keep knocking on the door sooner or later it will happen, I just have to keep doing it."

McIlroy will not feature in Qatar this week and will fulfil commercial commitments across the United Arab Emirates, which will include a hot air balloon trip on Saturday, before heading to Emirates Golf Club next week - the scene of his wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago.

After beginning the year ninth in the world, McIlroy will arrive outside of the top 10 after Kaymer moved up to sixth following his fifth career title, while Poulter reached the top 10 for the first time after continuing his recent run of impressive form.

But with his return to Dubai set to bring back memories of last year's breakthrough win and also ahead of his upcoming schedule in America after taking up a US PGA Tour card for this season. McIlroy knows it should not be long before he returns.

"My average points have gone up a lot and between me in 11th and Jim Furyk in fifth there is only 0.4 between us, which is nothing. And if I can go to Dubai next week and get a win it will put me back in the top 10 and maybe even the top five," he added.

"Martin moved to sixth and Ian's gone to 10th, but I just have to keep playing well.

"I got 21 world ranking points from last week and if I can average that throughout the year then I should be OK.

"It's amazing though, there are some weeks I have taken a week off and moved up three places, but it's the way it goes.

"Those two boys have jumped ahead of me, but my average points are up so I am closer to the guys in fifth and sixth than I have been which is good."