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Major targets ahead for Donald in 2012

Luke Donald scooped the riches on offer at the Dubai World Championship © Getty Images

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Luke Donald will not rest on the laurels of becoming the first player in the same season to top the money lists on both the European Tour and PGA Tour, as the world No. 1 is determined to end his major drought in 2012.

Donald capped a season that saw him rise to the top of the tree in golf by claiming third place in the Dubai World Championship to seal victory in the European money list - which came a matter of weeks after getting the same job done on the PGA Tour.

The 34-year-old entered the winner's circle on four occasions in 2011, but coming up short in the majors was the one disappointment for Donald and he is determined to end his grand slam drought in 2012.

"Being No. 1 brings expectation from myself," he said. "This has been a great year, but I feel like there are ways to improve. I have done everything but win a major, and I'm excited about 2012 - to bring these experiences to the majors."

Donald fended off a challenge from Rory McIlroy to top the European money list and the Ulsterman, who had to battle a virus in Dubai, felt he had gone to the well once too often in his bid to overhaul Donald.

"I think this week was one too many," McIlory, who cemented his place as world No. 2, said. "But Luke deserves it. Basically every time he's teed it up he's had a chance or he's finished in the top five or top 10.

"Mentally you have to be so good just to keep grinding out the scores when you need to. But I've made great progress this year - with my game, with my results, with everything.

"I feel like I'm swinging the club as good as I ever have and I feel like my body is as strong as it's ever been."

Alvaro Quiros' victory in Dubai catapulted him up the rankings from 52 to 21 - one place above Tiger Woods.

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 3. Lee Westwood (ENG), 4. Martin Kaymer (GER), 5. Adam Scott (AUS), 6. Steve Stricker (USA), 7. Dustin Johnson (USA), 8. Jason Day (AUS), 9. Webb Simpson (USA), 10. Matt Kuchar (USA), 11. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 12. Nick Watney (USA), 13. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 14. Phil Mickelson (USA), 15. KJ Choi (KOR), 16. Sergio Garcia (SPA), 17. Justin Rose (ENG), 18. Hunter Mahan (USA), 19. Paul Casey (ENG), 20. Bubba Watson (USA)

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