Rory McIlroy gave an honest assessment of his 2018 campaign as he prepares to tee it up at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai on Thursday.
The World Number Seven has registered six top-tens on the European Tour this season, including second-placed finishes at the Open Championship, BMW PGA Championship and Omega Dubai Desert Classic in a consistent campaign.
The 29 year old is not completely satisfied with his season, though, as his winless run moved past the two-year mark - but he came close to adding to his four Major Championship titles.
"I'd maybe give it like a B, a B minus, and a win this week would get it up to a B," he said.
"I don't want to continue to dwell on the negatives. There's been a lot of positives in there. I've played very consistently. I've had ten top-tens. I finished second and had a great chance to win The Open.
"I played in the final group and had a great chance to win the Masters. I've had chances to win big, big tournaments.
"Obviously the game's right there. It's just a matter of doing it when I need to do it most. Results-wise, it hasn't been the year that I wanted, even though I played in six final groups.
"In '16 and '17 combined, I played in three or four final groups. That's been a real big positive.
"But there's a difference between getting into those final groups and finishing the job off, and finishing the job off hasn't been quite where I've wanted it to be.
"So that's something to work on next year, and the only way you're going to get better at it is by putting yourself in those positions and learning each and every time."
McIlroy’s slim chance of winning the Race to Dubai title for the fourth time disappeared when he finished in a tie for 21st at last week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge, but the Northern Irishman hopes a new driver can help maintain his incredible form at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he has won twice.
There's been a lot of positives in there. I've played very consistently - Rory McIlroy
“I think back to the first tee shot at Augusta on Sunday; Wentworth on the final day; Akron, final day; Tour Championship, final day. The reason I didn’t play better was because I didn’t put the ball in the fairway and the reason I didn’t put the ball in the fairway is because I have this miss to the right with the driver,” McIlroy added.
"Unfortunately the new driver is only going to last a week because I have to get a new one next year again, but at least it gives me a better chance to win this week, I guess."
And McIlroy hopes familiar surroundings will help him secure his first European Tour victory since the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation in May 2016.
"Dubai has been a great place for me over the years. It's been basically where I launched my career. I had my first win here. I've had success," he said.
"I've got great memories. I was a resident in the UAE for four years, so I have a lot of history and a lot of good memories here. So it's good to be back, especially after missing this tournament last year.
"I played earlier in the year at the Desert Classic, and I feel like I let one slip away there. So I guess it would be nice to get one win in Dubai this year and end the year on a high."
