Matt Wallace capped off a stunning 2018 with a tie for second at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and instantly set his sights on a trip to Augusta National in the spring.
The Englishman won three times over the season and only narrowly missed out on title number four at Jumeirah Golf Estates, finishing two shots behind countryman Danny Willett.
It was his best finish in a Rolex Series event and he believes his determination down the stretch can hold him in good stead for more big events in the future.
One of those could be the Masters Tournament should he, as expected, make a move into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and the 28 year old is eager to kick on even further in 2019.
“It's another one ticked off the list where I've played under pressure and had to try and get it done and I played well,” he said.
“It's been a great year. It would have been really nice to knock off this one but I played with Danny yesterday and he played great, so all credit to him. He's a good player and he's a top boy so congrats to Danny.
“My game's progressing. I'm seriously becoming a solid iron player, which I never have been, and I've worked all year for it. I'll be really happy to look at my stats after this week. I gave myself loads of chances.
“We'll keep working on the stuff that I need to work on. Keep that fight, keep that fire that I've got and hopefully give myself more chances in these tournaments.
“Hopefully you'll see me at the Masters, that will be amazing. Dave (caddie) has been wanting to get back there for a long time and he'll be buzzing to get back there and so will I.
“If that is the case, if I get into the top 50, that was a massive goal of mine to reach by the end of this year and that will cap off probably the best year that I've ever had.”
Masters Tournament Champion Patrick Reed finished alongside Wallace after coming home in 32 to secure a result that sees him finish the season second on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
“Danny did what he had to do at the end,” he said. “He got off to a hot start and good lead and after that he birdied 14, 15, birdied 17 to get the job done. Hats off to him. He played some great golf.
“It was a good season. I felt like I did a lot of things really well this year. I improved on a lot of things from last year. To go ahead and win the first Major and to also have a chance at a couple of events this year, it means I'm doing the right thing and going in the right direction.
“Now I just need to put myself in these kind of positions and close off the deal and get the job done rather than finishing second or fourth.”
