McIlroy eyeing future major success

World number nine Rory McIlroy has targeted a major victory within four years.

Twelve months ago the Holywood native 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 the 2009 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.

'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,' he added.

'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 scene in the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie where he finished as leading amateur.

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.'

The Dubai Classic starts on Thursday.