Dubai: Former World No.1 Rory McIlroy says he’s more driven by victories this season than climbing back up the world rankings.
The 24-year-old Northern Irishman dropped to seventh in the world after going 12 months without a win until late last year. He has since gone up another place to six but, on the sidelines of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where he leads after round one at nine under par, the Ulsterman said his current standing was of little concern.
“I think world rankings or getting back to World No.1 are a by-product of playing well and giving yourself a chance to win tournaments,” he said.
“If I finish second in every tournament from now until the end of the year, I would be No.1, but I wouldn’t be happy because I wouldn’t have won.
“Obviously it’s a goal to get back there, but I have a few — I guess — more important goals to concentrate on that aren’t anything to do with results or anything to do with finishes in tournaments or wins. It’s to do with what I want to improve in my game. They are goals I set myself, and if I can improve and reach those goals, then the rest of the stuff I feel will take care of itself.
“The world rankings are more of an ego boost than anything else. You see yourself up there and feel good about yourself, but it doesn’t matter.
“If you’re top 50 you get into all the big tournaments and you have a chance to win, so that’s what’s important. But, of course, getting up there and being recognised for being the best player in the world, or certainly one of the best players in the world, is nice.”
