SHANGHAI - World number one Rory McIlroy has his sights firmly set on winning the money list on both major tours as he links up with most of his fellow European Ryder Cup heroes at this week's BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays table tennis (ping pong) during a promotional presentation event at the BMW Masters 2012 golf tournament in Shanghai, Oct 23, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

For the first time since they stunned the United States in Medinah last month, McIlroy has joined 10 of his 12 Ryder Cup-winning team mates at the Lake Malaren course, although personal ambitions have now taken center stage.

"I've got a big run left in my year with four tournaments in the next five weeks, so I would like to finish off the season as well as I can," the Northern Irishman, who tops the US PGA Tour money list, told reporters on Tuesday after enjoying a week off.

"I have finished second in Europe's Race to Dubai two of the last three years so it would be good to knock that off and try and do what Luke (Donald) did last year and win the money list on both Tours.

"I've got Justin (Rose) and Branden (Grace) right behind me and there is still some big-money events still to play, so I've four events left and if I do play well in those four events hopefully I can achieve that goal."

Both Rose and Grace, along with the next seven on the money list, could go ahead of leader McIlroy if successful in capturing this week's $1.2million cheque for first place.

McIlroy flopped at the World Golf Final in Turkey earlier this month, losing his match against rival Tiger Woods, but he acknowledged the high of winning the Ryder Cup meant he was not at his best at the inaugural tournament won by Rose.

"If I had known the summer I was going to have, I really would not have signed up for the Turkish event," said McIlroy.

"But then I went and it was a pretty relaxing week and I got to spend the week with (girlfriend) Caroline (Wozniacki) which was nice. However I did not pick up a club since the Ryder Cup until the day before the Turkish match, so I wasn't taking it that seriously."

Martin Kaymer (L) of Germany and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland attend a promotional presentation event at the BMW Masters 2012 golf tournament in Shanghai, Oct 23, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]