Justin Rose is targeting a major victory in 2008 after securing his first European PGA Tour Order of Merit title at Valderrama on Sunday.
Justin Rose (right) celebrates victory with his manager, wife and coach
The Englishman, who is up to seventh in the world rankings won a play-off for the Volvo Masters to finish number one.
"I think that's how you're remembered in the game in 20 or 50 years' time," Rose told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The first port of call is 'he won two majors or three majors'. To me, it's really important to win a major."
Rose, who enjoyed some impressive major results in 2007, called it a "lifelong dream" to claim one of the four tournaments that define a golfer's greatness or otherwise.
He finished tied for fifth at this year's Masters, 10th at the US Open, 12th at the Open and 12th at the USPGA Championship.
If Tiger was to have a slip up I'd love to be the guy who's snapping at his heels
"I've won the Open about 1,000 times on the putting green as a kid. That's what drives me," he added.
"Until winning yesterday, the thing that I took most confidence and comfort from was fact that I played well in the majors this year and got close to winning the Masters.
"That's where I've gained a lot of confidence from this year."
While a major victory is a serious target for Rose, he does not expect to be challenging Tiger Woods for the world number one ranking any time soon.
"For me to be world number one I'd probably have to win my next 20 tournaments, he's such a long way ahead," Rose told BBC Radio 4.
"I think number two in the world is certainly a do-able thing but Tiger's really separated himself in terms of the world ranking - he's a long, long way ahead.
"In the short term I don't think that's realistic but certainly if he was to have a slip up I'd love to be the guy who's snapping at his heels."
Rose pipped Ernie Els to the Order of Merit title after the South African opted to play in the Singapore Open instead and has also virtually assured himself a place in Europe's side for the 2008 Ryder Cup.
And Nick Faldo, who will be his skipper at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is happy to have Rose as part of his team.
"He's playing under pressure every week in America and has really come a long, long way this year," said Faldo.
"It won't be long before he gets into the winner's circle in America and then he's going to be a regular contender and a regular winner, I'm sure."
Rose's coach Nick Bradley described the 2007 season as "groundbreaking" and said he could win a major as early as next year.
"What we've done is create a new, better Justin Rose, a Justin Rose that now feels he is equipped to go forward with his career in a very confident manner," he told BBC Sport.
"He's got to be looked at as a major contender by virtue of his performances in the majors this year and the fact that he is European number one.
"Once you jockey in position and you start to build up the profile of major championship winner, then you'd have to say that."