Irish golfing ace Graeme MCDowell believes he has what it takes to win this week’s Dubai World Championship and be crowned Europe’s number one golfer.

The Irish golfer has sliced Martin Kaymer’s lead in the battle for the top spot, leading him to claim that he's in perfect form to overtake the German at the Tour’s final event.

"I’m within touching distance now for next week," McDowell told the press on Monday. "I’ve got to play well, simple as that. I can’t control Martin’s ball - I can only control mine. I’m going to go out there next week and try to play my own game. I have a few things to brush up on before Thursday but, all in all, I’m feeling really good about my game."

With almost 300,000 euro between the two major winners, McDowell has to finish in the top three to have a chance of denying Kaymer.

If McDowell comes third, then Kaymer would only have to be twentieth to stay on top. However, if McDowell is second then the German would need to finish third and if McDowell takes the 906,000 euro first prize then the money list title will be his as well.

It's all to play for and the stakes - as well as the rewards - could not be higher for the Irish player.