(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy is to trim his schedule to focus on 2013's four major trophies after a fairytale year in which he won five tournaments and both the U.S. PGA and European Tour money lists to finish on top of the world rankings.
The 23-year-old says a greater understanding of his own game has propelled him to new heights as he gave notice to the game's great and good that he could dominate the sport for years to come.
McIlroy's five-star 2012 included his second major at the PGA Championship, and he finished the season in perfect fashion by claiming the Dubai World Championship crown on Sunday.
After topping the world rankings for the first time in his career in March, McIlroy's form has seen him firmly entrenched as the game's best player, and he told CNN that is in part down to greater self assurance.
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"I know myself more, way better as a golfer, and what works for me," he told Living Golf anchor Shane O'Donoghue.
"Some things that I tried to incorporate into my game didn't work for me and I think you've just got to find your way a little bit.
"I guess over the last couple of years I've done that and winning big tournaments and winning majors, you grow in confidence and it gives you belief, belief that you are doing the right things."
McIlroy's performances on both sides of the pond ensured he emulated world No. 2 Luke Donald, who last year became the first man ever to top both the PGA Tour and European Tour money lists.
And despite winning the Honda Classic, the BMW Championship, the Deutsche Bank and Dubai titles it is the major tournaments that remain McIlroy's main target.
To give himself the best possible chance to launch his charge at the quadruple in 2013, he's taking his lead from one of the game's all time greats -- his rival and friend, 14-time major winner Tiger Woods.
"I'm gonna cut my schedule back a little bit next year and try and peak four times a year for the big tournaments," he explained.
"I think it's something that Tiger has done so well over the years and probably why he's been so successful.
"So I'm going to try and take a little bit of a leaf out of his book and cut down on the schedule and make sure I'm fresh for every tournament I play.
"I'm really looking forward to 2013 already, even though this year has just ended. I'm looking forward to preparing and getting my game in shape for next year."
McIlroy ended his final round in Dubai with five straight birdies to hold off the challenge of European Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, who led by two shots at one stage during a course record score of 62.
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Peter Hanson, center, and Francesco Molinari of Europe celebrate their team winning the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday, September 30, in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to defeat the United States and retain the trophy. See more of the best of CNN's photography.
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But, watched by his girlfriend and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, McIlroy wasn't to be denied a fairytale ending to his season.
"I sort of wrapped up the U.S. money list earlier on in the season and I guess my one big goal after that was to win the Race to Dubai and and win the European money list," he said.
"I finished second in China, third in Singapore and then got the win here. It was a big goal of mine. I wanted to win the Race to Dubai since the start of the year.
"The money list in America wasn't so much a priority, but it was nice to get that too. It's been a great way to finish the year."
McIlroy and Woods have grown close over the course of the year, sitting down together for a special interview on CNN's Living Golf show.
The 23-year-old, who won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open, also sat down for a chat with Jack Nicklaus, who is the game's greatest player with a haul of 18 majors.
"I guess it's a little surreal for me," McIlroy said. "I never thought I'd be able to do it, sitting down with Jack and Tiger on Living Golf this year and doing interviews with them both.
"It's been pretty cool and getting to know both of them, trying to get as much advice off Jack as I can and a little bit off Tiger too.
"I've got a great relationship with both of those guys and hopefully that can continue."
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After a mid-season slump, McIlroy roared back to form with an eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship to seal his second major triumph. It was the biggest winning margin in majors history, as he took the record from Jack Nicklaus -- the game's greatest ever player.
McIlroy's friendship with Tiger Woods blossomed during the 2012 season. The two even took each other on at an exhibition tournament in China in front of a huge crowd. McIlroy won by one shot. Both players reportedly shared $3 million for taking part.
McIlroy was watched every step of the way in Dubai by his girlfriend -- tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
Nicolas Colsaerts, left, celebrates with fans after Europe beat the United States on Sunday. The biennial competition pits the best pro golfers from the United States against their European counterparts.
European team captain Jose Maria Olazabal holds the Ryder Cup at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he made the winning putt on the 18th green on Sunday to cinch the Ryder Cup.
Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates making the decisive putt.
Martin Kaymer sets up the final putt on the 18th green.
Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after Martin Kaymer sinks his putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Martin Kaymer putts on the final hole Sunday to secure Europe's win.
A U.S. fan high-fives Team Europe's fans after their Ryder Cup victory on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe greets Tiger Woods on the 18th green after Europe defeated the United States 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup.
Europe's Sergio Garcia, left, and Ian Poulter celebrate Sunday.
A European supporter watches the play during the singles matches on Sunday.
Justin Rose of Europe celebrates a birdie putt on the 18th green to defeat Phil Mickelson on Sunday.
Jason Dufner of the United States, left, shakes hands with Peter Hanson on the 18th green after Dufner defeated Hanson.
Davis Love III waits with some of his team on Sunday at the end of the singles matches.
Ian Poulter of Europe hits a shot from the rough on the 18th hole Sunday.
Europe's Francesco Molinari celebrates with his caddie, Jason Hempleman, on the 18th green Sunday after his match with Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods waits on a hole during Sunday's singles matches.
Fans reach for a golf ball Sunday on the 17th green.
Steve Stricker of the United States reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green as Martin Kaymer of Europe looks on during Sunday's competition.
Jim Furyk of the United States lines up a putt with his caddie, Mike Cowan, on the 17th green.
Lee Westwood of Europe, left, shakes hands with Matt Kuchar on the 16th green after defeating him Sunday.
Steve Stricker of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green during a match Sunday against Martin Kaymer of Germany.
Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a bunker shot on the 14th hole on Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe hits from the drop zone Sunday on the 13th hole.
A message of support for Team Europe is written in the sky during the Sunday's single matches. The United States started the day with a seemingly insurmountable 10-6 lead.
Graeme McDowell of Europe crosses a bridge during the singles matches on Sunday.
A U.S. fan watches the matches on Sunday.
Webb Simpson of the United States hits his tee shot on the 13th hole Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe celebrates after saving bogey Sunday on the 13th green.
Martin Kaymer of Europe plays a bunker shot on the ninth hole Sunday.
Zach Johnson of the United States reacts to a shot on the ninth hole Sunday as Graeme McDowell, right, and his caddie, Ken Comboy, of Europe look on.
A U.S. team caddie wears patriotic shoes on Sunday.
Ian Poulter of Europe plays a bunker shot Sunday on the fourth hole.
Luke Donald of Europe watches his tee shot on the third hole Sunday.
Fans watch the play on the first tee during the singles matches of the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
Bubba Watson of the United States, left, greets Luke Donald of Europe on the first tee Sunday in Medinah.
Bubba Watson of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.
A sea of fans crowds around the first tee near the clubhouse Sunday.
Luke Donald of Europe plays a bunker shot on the fifth hole on Sunday.
Tiger Woods of the United States watches from the fairway on the first hole Sunday.
Tim Finchem, from left, Jack Nicklaus and Jeff Sluman watch the action on the first tee Sunday.
Keegan Bradley of the United States hits his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe lines up a shot with his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald on the third tee on Sunday.
Team USA Assistant Captain Fred Couples stirs up the crowd during play Sunday.
Team Europe's Luke Donald tees off from the first hole Sunday.
Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after making a birdie on the first hole Sunday.
European fans cheer at the start of the final day of play at the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday.
Keegan Bradley rallies U.S. fans on the first tee at the start of the day Sunday.
Team USA fans cheer from the stands Sunday.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with Fred Couples, assistant captain of Team USA on Saturday, September 29.
Bush reaches to shake the hands of spectators at the tournament Saturday.
Tiger Woods of the United States scopes out a putt on the 17th hole during four-ball play Saturday.
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy laments a missed putt on the seventh hole during foursomes on Saturday.
Dustin Johnson of Team USA contemplates his next play on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the United States waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori on Saturday.
Team USA's Phil Mickelson, left, and Team Europe's Lee Westwood of England study the fifth green during a morning foursomes match on Saturday.
Ian Poulter of Europe lines up a putt on the 16th green on Saturday.
Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the first hole Saturday afternoon.
Zach Johnson of American team reacts to a putt on the 12th hole on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the United States plays a bunker shot on Saturday.
A crowd gathers at the 17th green on day two of the competition.
Sergio Garcia of Europe hits the second shot on the third hole on Saturday.
European fans watch the play from a golf cart during day two.
Keegan Bradley of the United States stares down a putt on Saturday.
A fan of the U.S. golfers watches the action.
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits out of the eighth hole's tee box on Saturday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States drives with his wife Amy Mickelson on the 16th green.
Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after holing a putt on the 12th hole Saturday.
Poulter and Justin Rose of Team Europe embrace after winning their match on Saturday.
Two U.S. fans watch the competition on Saturday.
Webb Simpson of the USA waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori.
USA fans cheer on the first tee on Saturday.
Golfer Justin Rose of Europe lines up a putt on the first green.
A fan looks at a map on Saturday.
American Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole as Lee Westwood of Europe looks on.
Graeme McDowell of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole on Saturday.
Bubba Watson of the USA watches his tee shot on the second hole.
Keegan Bradley of the USA reacts after putting on the fifth green on Saturday.
A message is written in the sky in remembrance of Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros, who died of brain cancer last year, during day two of the competition.
Keegan Bradley of the USA hits out of the bunker on the 16th green after defeating Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell on Friday, September 28.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, jumps in the air while speaking with teammate Sergio Garcia of Spain, ssecond left, on the 10th fairway on Friday.
Americans Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were paired in the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
McIlroy and McDowell walk across a bridge ahead of the gallery on Friday.
McIlroy reacts with dismay to his shot from the 10th fairway on Friday.
Fans watch the play on the 17th hole on Friday.
Peter Hanson of Europe plays a bunker shot on the second hole during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
Tiger Woods of the USA reacts to a poor tee shot on the 15th hole on Friday.
European fans watch the actiion in flamboyant outfits on Friday.
Martin Kaymer plays a bunker shot on the third hole during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
European fans get into the spirit during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.
Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker line up a putt during the morning foursome matches on Friday.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell of Europe get a ruling on their ball on the 18th hole Friday.
Team Europe's Graeme McDowell chips onto the second hole's green Friday.
Fans watch during the morning foursome matches Friday at the Medinah Country Club.
Keegan Bradley of the United States reacts after putting on the 14th green Friday.
Team Europe's Graeme McDowell drives off the 15th tee Friday.
Luke Donald of England, left, and Sergio Garcia of Spain look over their putt on the sixth hole Friday.
Tiger Woods signs his glove for a fan who was struck in the head during his drive off the seveth tee on Friday.
Phil Mickelson plays a bunker shot on 10th tenth hole on Friday.
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe line up a putt on the seventh hole on Friday.
Graeme McDowell of Europe watches a shot during the Morning Foursome matches of the Ryder Cup on Friday.
Phil Mickelson hits a shot on the fifth hole on Friday.
Keegan Bradley celebrates on the 15th green after he made birdie to defeat the team of Donald and Garcia during the Morning Foursome matches on Friday.
Rory McIlroy of Europe hits a shot onto the green on Friday.
Justin Rose of Europe celebrates on the fourth hole after a long putt at the 39th Ryder Cup Friday at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.
Lee Westwood of Europe watches his tee shot on the first hole Friday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States kisses his wife Amy on the first tee Friday.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan waits on the first tee during the matches.
A fan of the European team watches the play.
USA fans cheer the players on the first tee Friday.
American golfer Tiger Woods chips on the first hole.
Steve Stricker of the United States hits a shot from the rough on the first hole.
Luke Donald of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole.
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe celebrate on the fifth green on Friday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a bunker shot during the fourth and final preview day of the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on Thursday, September 27.
A Team Europe supporter watches the action Thursday.
Dustin Johnson, left, and Tiger Woods of the United States laugh during a practice round Thursday.
Phil Mickelson, left, was paired with Keegan Bradley on Thursday.
Fans wait for autographs during Thursday's practice round.
Rory McIlroy of Europe kicks a PGA ball in between play of the practice round Thursday.
McIlroy takes a bow Thursday.
Miguel Angel Jimenez of Europe watches the play Thursday.
Ian Poulter of Europe stands over a ball in the fairway Thursday.
2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, center, walks with U.S. teammate and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson during a practice round Thursday.
McIlroy talks with vice captain Darren Clarke during the final preview day Thursday.
Zach Johnson, right, and Jason Dufner of the United States pratice putting on the 17th green Thursday.
Zach Johnson signs autographs for fans after finishing the 18th hole on Thursday.
Members of Team Europe practice Thursday.
Matt Kuchar chats with U.S. teammate Webb Simpson on the practice ground on Thursday.
Team U.S.'s Tiger Woods reaches for a golf ball on the practice ground on Thursday.
U.S. players Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson hit shots on the practice ground Thursday.
British fans wear their loyalties on their sleeves Wednesday, September 26.
Ian Poulter of Europe practices near his teammates' golf bags Wednesday.
U.S.'s Jim Furyk plays his approach shot to the 12th green on Wednesday.
A U.S. fan takes photos Wednesday.
Members of the U.S. team practice Wednesday on the 13th green at Medinah, outside Chicago.
Patriotism is on display across the course Wednesday.
Jose Maria Olazabal serves as captain of the European team for this year's Cup.
Justin Rose punches the air as he caps an unlikely comeback of his own, defeating Phil Mickelson on the 18th green after being one down with two to play. The American described his loss as one of the turning points of the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Europe's victory echoed the 1999 Ryder Cup, where the U.S. also came from 10-6 down to win 14½ - 13½. The 'Battle of Brookline' was bathed in controversy as U.S. players stormed the 17th green in celebration at s crucial Justin Leonard putt. Golfing etiquette had been broken as Leonard's opponent, Jose Maria Olazabal, could still have squared their match.
Jean Van de Velde (middle) looks bewildered as he reflects on his defeat in the 1999 British Open. The Frenchman blew a three-shot lead on the final hole, so forcing a play-off with Justin Leonard (right) and Scotland's Paul Lawrie (left) which the latter won to seal his first major, despite trailing Van de Velde by an enormous 10 strokes before the final round took place.
Liverpool players celebrate with goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek (in black) after the English side completed their remarkable comeback against Italians AC Milan in the 2005 European Champions League final. Trailing 3-0 at half time, Liverpool scored three goals in six second half minutes in Istanbul to force extra time and a penalty shoot-out, which they won 3-2.
Players and fans of Manchester City celebrate after winning their first English title since 1968. City trailed Queens Park Rangers 2-1 but scored two stoppage time goals to win 3-2 - and so deny city rivals Manchester United the title. The success echoed United's 1999 Champions League triumph in Barcelona, where they beat Bayern Munich 2-1 despite trailing after 90 minutes.
Having won the last four gold medals, the Soviet Union were hot favourites to win ice hockey gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Few expected Team USA - made up of amateur and college players - to stop them but they defied the odds to beat the Soviets 4-3 in a semifinal which became known as 'The Miracle on Ice.' They went on to win gold against Finland in the final.
Despite being two sets and 5-1 down in his semifinal, Frenchman Henri Cochet managed to win the 1927 Wimbledon title. He stunned the world No. 1, American Bill TiIden, in the semis before repeating his escapology act in the final, trailing by two sets once more and surviving six match points before rallying to win in five sets for a third successive game.
It is the one-day cricket international that may never be equalled. Set a world record score of 435 to win in their allotted 50 overs, Graeme Smith's South Africa beat Australia in Johannesburg after racking up 438 runs, with just one wicket and one ball to spare.
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