DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (PA) -- Paul Casey is hopeful a new approach will ensure he does not again have to wait two years between titles.

The 31-year-old Englishman is in a confident mood ahead of this week's Dubai Desert Classic after ending his long winless run two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi, the venue of his last win in 2007.

Two years ago he was one of only seven players to make the cut in all four majors, while in 2008 his eight top-10 finishes were concentrated on the year's biggest events.

But Casey, who missed the cut for a third consecutive year in Qatar last week, is now more concerned with consistency as he sets himself to join three-time winner Ernie Els, world No. 2 Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and an all-star cast at Emirates Golf Club starting on Thursday.

"It was nice to get back into the winners circle in Abu Dhabi and the approach this year is going to be approach every event single event as hard as I can," said Casey. "I was too focused on preparing for the majors. They are still my goal, what I want to achieve, but I have to approach every tournament the same.

"The game is in great shape, I am just looking forward to being back on this golf course," he added. "I get along with the golf course visually, it's just a lot of fun. The tournaments in the UAE and Qatar are fun; we get a lot of support.

"These tournaments have great atmosphere and that's why guys like coming here, it doesn't help you play well, but it's nice."

After beginning 2009 placed 41st in the world, Casey's victory in Abu Dhabi helped move him up to 21st in the world, although he begins this week after slipping down two places.

Defending champion Tiger Woods will not be in Dubai as the American continues to recover from knee surgery and, like most, Casey is disappointed the world No. 1 will not be in the hunt for a third Desert Classic title.

"We would be naive if we didn't agree that Tiger not being here is a loss," he said. "That wouldn't be felt if it was someone else. I don't care who is it, he brings a buzz to tournaments.

"But we have to make hay while the sun is shining because when he comes back I think he will be fitter and stronger than ever before and probably start off right where he left it, with a win.

"I am actually looking forward to him coming back so you can say you went up against Tiger and beat him," he added. "The dream is one day to take him on down the stretch at a major and see what happens."

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