Rory McIlroy says injuries to Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey have boosted his chances of becoming this season's European number one.
German Kaymer is expected to be out of action for all of this month after breaking a foot while go-karting.
Casey has been troubled by a rib injury in recent weeks.
"I have to make the most of this opportunity," said McIlroy ahead of this start of this week's Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
McIlroy is currently third in the Race to Dubai standings, which became the new name for the European Order of Merit at the start of this season.
However, the £290,000 first prize would move the 20-year-old ahead of current leader Kaymer and world number three Casey.
"There is a long way to go until the Dubai World Championship in the middle of November but it would be nice to make a couple of good finishes over the next few weeks and hopefully put myself to the top of the board," added McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman squandered a glorious chance to clinch his first professional victory in the Swiss event last year when he bogeyed the 72nd hole and was then edged out by Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin in a play-off.
However, McIlroy's memories of 12 months ago are predominantly positive and he views his performance as the springboard to his impressive 2009.
He won the Dubai Desert Classic in the spring and after a mid-summer lull, stormed back to form by finishing in a superb share of third place at last month's USPGA Championship.
"I finished well at the USPGA and then had a couple of weeks off but last week, I was really looking forward to getting here.
"It's such a beautiful place and I have a lot of good memories from last year, although a few bad ones as well."
McIlroy is accompanied in the Alps by his parents, girlfriend and uncle and he is hoping to give them something to cheer about.
"I'd love to go one better than last year.
"It's didn't feel good losing and if I get myself in the same position this year, I'll try to finish the job.
"I shot a 63 in the first round last year and I didn't fall out of the lead until the 72nd hole.
"But in the 12 months since then, I've played the best golf I've ever played.
"I've missed only one or two cuts and I've played consistently at a high level."
This week also marks the first European qualifying event for next year's Ryder Cup and the field also includes Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.
McDowell's Ryder Cup team-mates from last year Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Oliver Wilson will be in action along with 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman.
Other Irishmen Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry and Gary Murphy are also in the entry.
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