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Rory McIlroy admits it is a case of make or break at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China this week as the former World Number One looks to secure his place in the DP World Tour Championship.
The current Race to Dubai champion finds himself 62nd in this season’s rankings, with only the top 60 after next week’s Turkish Airlines Open qualifying for the season finale in Dubai.
However, the Northern Irishman insists that after finishing 27th at last week’s BMW Masters presented by SRE Group his game is in the sort of shape where he is more likely to be contending for the title on Sunday than struggling to qualify for Dubai.
“It's a big week obviously - it's sort of make or break,” said The Ryder Cup star. “If I don't play good enough here, then there's a good chance I won't play in Dubai. I think there's a bigger chance of me winning this tournament than not playing in Dubai, I feel.
“I'm looking forward to going out there and playing well. I feel like I'm capable of winning this golf tournament and I feel like my game's coming together nicely.
“I did a little short game work over the last couple days and I feel like if I can get that part of my game where it needs to be, then I've got a good chance.
“Of course I expect myself to be a lot higher than that. I won The Race to Dubai last year, and I was second in '11 and I was second in '09. So I've been a factor in it for the last few years and to be down where I am obviously doesn't feel too good and is a reflection of how my year has gone.
“It's just the reality and the reality is I haven't played well enough to be a factor.”
With a big performance needed, the timing of playing at one of his favourite courses could not have been better for the 24 year old.
“I'm really glad that this tournament is back here at Sheshan,” he added. “It's a golf course that I've done well on, as you've said, and it's a golf course that I really like. It's one of my favourite venues of the year quite honestly.
“It suits my game and I play well here. I played the golf course for the first time today and in great condition. It's always in great condition and they have got the greens quite firm already for early on in the week.
“It should be a good test. It suits my game - you've got to hit it pretty long. A few of the par fives are reachable for the longer hitters and if I can keep driving the ball the way I am, it should give me a bit of an advantage and obviously be a good chance this week.”
