I want to try to become the best golfer in the world.

You get thrown off balance out there. And I never recovered. Well, I haven't recovered yet.

The fact is, I've always felt more British than Irish. Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don't know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the U.K. than with Ireland.

It's been 18 months since I won on the European Tour and to win the flagship event, I could not have asked for any more.

If somebody asks me whether I'd rather sink the winning putt in the Ryder Cup or win a major, it's the major every day. World championship or Ryder Cup? Win a world championship. At the end of the day you're going to be remembered for what you achieve in an individual sport.

Everything is firing on all cylinders for me.

I'm sure there was an educational angle to the trips (I think one was to the Ulster Museum) but it was the fun and banter I had with my friends I remember the most.