John Daly is hoping his current trip to Dubai will not be his only one this year - he wants to be back in November for one of golf's richest-ever events.
The 45-year-old American's fourth-place finish in Qatar on Sunday - achieved from the depths of 543rd in the world - showed he can still compete at the top level.
Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, third and fourth on the rankings, were among the players Daly beat and as well as going up against them again he was also facing world number two Rory McIlroy in the Dubai Desert Classic starting on Thursday.
The European Tour season finishes with the £5 million DP World Tour Championship.
That is for the leading 60 on the money list, and the former Open champion said: "My goals are to get my European card and maybe get into Dubai at the end of the year.
"I think if I can get in enough tournaments it's realistic. It's all about confidence for me and I haven't had any in so long.
"It's one thing trying to play golf healthy and everything, but when you're trying to play golf hurt for four or five years like I have it gets frustrating.
The European Tour season finishes with the £5 million DP World Tour Championship.
That is for the leading 60 on the money list, and the former Open champion said: "My goals are to get my European card and maybe get into Dubai at the end of the year.
"I think if I can get in enough tournaments it's realistic. It's all about confidence for me and I haven't had any in so long.
"It's one thing trying to play golf healthy and everything, but when you're trying to play golf hurt for four or five years like I have it gets frustrating.
"The last few tournaments I've felt good. The shoulder is good, the ribs are good, so it gives you a better chance to play good. It's just the hardest game in the world and when you get a little confidence it really makes you thrive."
Daly is far from alone in flying the American flag in this week's tournament. Former winners Fred Couples and Mark O'Meara are back and also present are ex-Open champions Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton and 2003 US PGA winner Shaun Micheel.
Daly is far from alone in flying the American flag in this week's tournament. Former winners Fred Couples and Mark O'Meara are back and also present are ex-Open champions Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton and 2003 US PGA winner Shaun Micheel.
Like Daly, they are no longer full members of the PGA Tour.
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