DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (PA) -- Sergio Garcia has narrowed Tiger Woods' lead at the top of the world rankings from more than 11 points last June to less than three.

With Woods still out of action, Garcia has not finished outside the top eight in his last seven tournaments. He was seventh in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters on Sunday.

Garcia could be less than two months from knocking Woods off the top spot, but the Spanish star is making no secret of what remains his No. 1 target.

"Of course I have a chance (to relegate the injured Woods to second place), but it's not something that's do-or-die for me," said Garcia, who recently celebrated his 29th birthday.

"Winning a major has always been a goal for me, so I guess that's probably the only place where I'll set any kind of a goal," he added. "Other than that, I'll try to play as well as I can at any tournament. If I became the No. 1, nothing is going to change for me."

Up to second in the world ranking by virtue of winning the HSBC Champions title in Shanghai in November, Garcia has seen a host of chances for a major breakthrough come and go.

Back in 1999, just four months into his professional career, he was runner-up to Woods at the PGA Championship, an event remembered more than anything for his eyes-closed recovery from the base of a tree on the 16th hole at Medinah.

Eleven more top-10 finishes were to come before he stood on the final tee at Carnoustie with a one-stroke lead over Padraig Harrington two years ago. He bogeyed the hole, though, and lost the playoff, then last August was denied again by his Ryder Cup teammate at the PGA Championship.

Harrington, the winner of golf's last two majors and three of the last six, is also in the field for this week's Dubai Desert Classic. And while he also could catch Woods in the rankings before the American returns to action, getting his game right for The Masters in April is his primary target.

"I'm trying to focus on the process and I do believe I'll be a better player this year," said the Irishman. "That doesn't necessarily mean that my results will be better, but over time it will even itself out, so I'm comfortable that things are going on the right track.

Copyright 2009 PA Sport. All rights reserved.