McDowell targets becoming world no.1

McDowell believes this is a possibility after seeing his Ryder Cup team mate Lee Westwood end Tiger Woods’ reign as the world’s number one.

But he is also not ruling the return of the wounded Tiger and feels the sports needs him to come back to his best.

“I think a few years ago we all felt Tiger Woods was pretty invincible. Now that I see one of my friends and colleagues, Lee Westwood as world No.1, I know how much improvement I can do in this game and how much better I can become,” said McDowell after carding a best round of 68 to finish the Dubai World Championship with a six-under total of 282.

“I’m proud of the way I played the last five weeks generally. To give Martin (Kaymer) a run for his money this week was very good. Things didn’t really go my way this week. It’s a golf course which frustrated me last year and continues to frustrate me, really,” he said shrugging of the disappointment of failing to stop Kaymer in his march to the Race to Dubai title.

“I did strike the ball much better tee-to-green this year than I did last year and gave myself a lot of chances. Couldn’t see the lines and hole the putts. You’re not going to do any damage out there without putting well. It’s been a great year and no disappointment at all,” said McDowell who began his dream run with a two-stroke victory at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters last month.

“It was great for the tournament this week, the Race to Dubai, great for the European Tour really to have three Major champions this year and Martin Kaymer to do what he’s done after the US PGA and going and winning twice again,” McDowell said turning his attention to become the world’s top player next year.

“I think it now is an achievable goal. I have to believe I have a lot of room for improvement in this game. It requires consistency and competing in the major championship,” said McDowell who finished his Race to Dubai campaign with a flourish sinking four birdies in the last six holes.

“I’d be lying to you if I didn’t think I could be the world’s no.1. A few years ago, I think Tiger Woods looked pretty untouchable and we were all playing for second, really. I think nowadays it’s a little bit different,” said the 31-year-old Irishman with conviction when pressed about the possibility of becoming the top ranked golfer in the world.

But he warned that although Tiger Woods has slid down the rankings, it is not the end of his grip on the sport.

“I expect Tiger to be back. He showed signs towards the end of the year that he’s back to playing well again, and I think golf needs him back playing well. I think we would all like to see him back playing well, because to be winning tournaments and winning major championships in the Tiger Woods era, it’s a special time to be playing golf,” said McDowell of the 14-time Major winner who has not won a tournament since his marriage life broke up amid lurid revelations surfaced around this time last year.