Rory McIlroy had admitted the world rankings are not in the forefront of his mind as he prepares for this week's WGC World Match Play.
The 22-year-old could become world number one for the first time this week if he wins the event in Tucson, Arizona and Luke Donald falls in the first or second round.
"The rankings are sort of a by-product of what you do," said McIlroy. "I'd rather just concentrate on trying to win tournaments and trying to improve as a player.
"If I happen to do that, then hopefully the ranking will take care of itself."
Donald is taking nothing for granted, coming up against former world number one Ernie Els in Wednesday's opening round, with his nine-month reign at the top of the rankings under threat.
Current number three Lee Westwood gets his campaign under way against Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, although the Englishman has a ghastly record in the event.
Westwood has never been beyond the second round in 11 attempts and admitted: "I just don't know why it is.
"Sometimes I have not played well enough or just run up against somebody who is playing hot, but it's very strange when you look at my record in the Ryder Cup and that I won the Match Play at Wentworth."
Tiger Woods and Darren Clarke could meet in the second round some 12 years after the Northern Irishman beat the American in the final when it was played in Dubai.
However, Clarke must first get past Nick Watney as he teams up with temporary caddie Phil Morbey for the first time.
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