Ernie Els acknowledges he has some work to do if he is to qualify for this year's US Masters but he believes that will drive him on in the weeks to come.
Els made his Masters debut in 1994 and since then he has automatically qualified for the Augusta National showpiece. However, a poor season in 2011 resulted in the South African dropping out of the world's top 50 and he now faces a race to qualify for the Masters.
It is a new challenge to the 42-year-old but one which he insists he is ready for.
"Obviously the Masters is right around the corner. I've never really been in that position where I had to try and qualify for it because I've been fortunate enough to basically glide through and get in there," Els said.
"I've got to do some work, and I think it's good for me. It will keep me focused, believe me, get me trying, and I think that that's a good thing.
"I'm going to play quite a few tournaments now running up to Augusta, so I'll give myself a good chance of getting in.
"It's a motivation, but my goal this year is to really get back and play proper golf and maybe get back to that short putter.
"I think I'm close to getting back to that and playing the way I can play and I think if I do that the rest will take care of itself.
"[When] I started out in life, I wanted to be the best player in the world and win as many tournaments as I could. I got married and had a family, and your direction goes a little different way.
"I'm still a professional golfer and I still want to win golf tournaments this year and in the future."