Rory McIlroy aims for world number one spot

Rory McIlroy has said that he hopes to be world number one by the end of 2012.

The 2011 US Open winner currently sits fourth in the rankings, behind Martin Kaymer [3], Lee Westwood [2] and Luke Donald [1].

"I'm not desperate, but it's definitely a goal that I've set for myself," he said. "I feel as if it's very attainable.

"It might not be this year, but definitely into next year, I can give myself a very good platform to kick off the season next year if I end the season well."

The 22-year-old is next in action at the KLM Open in the Netherlands, which starts Thursday.