Lee Westwood is keen to repeat the strong finish he produced in 2009 as the Englishman aims to become European Number One for a third time.
Westwood captured The Race to Dubai four years ago after winning two of the last four strokeplay events, including the DP World Tour Championship.
With the increased prize funds on offer for the inaugural Final Series which starts with the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group in Shanghai this week, the 40 year old believes a similar run-in could be enough to lift him from 18th in the standings.
“I'm looking forward to it,” said The Ryder Cup star. “Obviously four great big events with big prize funds, and I've just had five weeks off, so I'm looking forward to playing again and finishing off The European Tour schedule strongly.
“I think it's a good venue. It's a strong golf course, quite long, the greens are tricky.”
Westwood has had four top ten finishes and not missed a cut on The European Tour this season, but the former World Number One does have some regrets regarding his lack of victories; particularly having missed out on the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth..
“I've played consistently,” he added. “The biggest disappointment from those nine events - I suppose not winning The Open was a disappointment - but not winning the PGA Championship, I had a great chance there in the last group, and everything unfolded in front of me, just hit a couple of bad shots coming in.
“But I still have a chance to win the Money List, obviously something to strive for. I’ve won it a couple of times but it would nice to win it a third time.
“I had a strong finish in 2009 when I won it - I won two of those four. It's possible if you win a couple of these events to make a lot of ground up.”
Another former World Number One from England, Luke Donald, is also looking for his first win of the season at Lake Malaren this week.
Donald admits his game is in a transitional phase at the moment, but the 35 year old is looking forward to returning to a venue where he finished third last season.
“Change always takes a little bit of time, and I'm certainly excited about where it's heading and be a good couple weeks to test it,” said Donald.
“I remember playing very well here last year. I think as a rule, this course is a little bit of a bomber's course.
“It sets up well for the guy that can carry it on certain holes and certain bunkers that get in positions where if you can take it over, then you are creating a little bit of a shorter shot into the green.
“I dealt with that well last year, and gave myself a good chance coming up on the weekend. So hopefully I can do more of the same this week.”
