Richard Sterne is back at the scene of his memorable triumph in last year´s South African Open, and is more determined than ever to take his game to the next level when he defends his title at Pearl Valley Golf Estates this week.

Having taken up his place in South African golf history with victory in his national Open, Sterne is now focused on becoming a force at the highest level in the Major championships.

"I had a taste of the Majors last year. That´s where I see myself and that´s the goal. Winning Majors is the next step. It´s what we all play for and the road to that goal starts here at Pearl Valley this week," Sterne said on the eve of the first round on Wednesday.

Sterne is not a man given to brash opinions about himself. But he does possess a strong faith in his potential.

"I know I can win, and produce more consistent play. I want to win more tournaments and get back into the top-50 in the world. I feel I could be in the top ten when my game is there, but the problem comes when that only happens for a few weeks of the year. Those are the weeks you have to go out there to win."

Evidence of that was seen at the end of the season last year. A three-time European Tour winner at the time, Sterne was coming out of slump when he won the last two co-sanctioned tournaments on the Sunshine Tour´s schedule to claim the Order of Merit and push his earnings past R6-million that season.

Struggling with the same issues that plagued him this season — an inconsistent swing and niggling wrist injury — it all clicked for him at the 2008 Alfred Dunhill Championship.

He rode the momentum of that victory to a come-from-behind win at Pearl Valley a week later, outplaying Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy to force a play-off with Northern Ireland´s Gareth Maybin.

It´s this same kind of ´click´ which Sterne is looking for this week.

"I had two pretty decent rounds in the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week, those two 66s at Leopard Creek for my tied fourth finish. I slowed down my swing a little and it worked," he said. "It was nice to find the right thing. And even when I hit a bad shot, I´m keeping it in play. I liked the way I played last week."

"I know this Pearl Valley course well; I practice here all the time. It´s in great shape, the greens are running beautifully and it´s playing quite long. It could be an interesting week."

Ultimately, Sterne wants to finish the season with a bang and return strong after the New Year.

"I´m playing the next two events in South Africa and I want to give myself every chance to move up in the world rankings."