Rory McIlroy is now in line for a Masters debut next April despite just missing out a maiden European Tour win at the Hong Kong Open.
The 19-year-old lost out in a dramatic play-off to Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei but he has moved up to 50th in the world rankings.
Should McIlory remain in the top 50 at the end of next month he would earn himself a debut at Augusta.
"It puts me in a great position going into the new year," said McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman insisted the defeat in Hong Kong is already behind him as he focuses on making a solid start to 2009.
"As long as I can keep putting myself in these positions and feeling the nerves and the adrenaline, I'll know I'm doing things right," said McIlroy.
"I have two events left in South Africa. If I don't win there, I'll hopefully win sometime next year.
"As long as I keep putting myself in these positions, I'll be able to pull through sooner or later."
McIlroy climbed the leaderboard with a five-under-par 65 to enter a three-way play-off with Lin and Italy's Francesco Molinari.
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McIlroy scrambled a par on his second play-off hole after finding trees off the tee but Lin hit his approach to a foot to secure his first European Tour victory.
"I thought I probably did enough to make three at the first play-off hole and I had an incredible shot for my second shot, but it just wasn't meant to be," added McIlroy.
"Obviously it's still been a great week for me. I'll look back on it, and I've played really well. I couldn't have done much more."
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