Rickie Fowler may be returning to golf's top 10 but the American isn't ready to place himself alongside big guns Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth just yet.
The 28-year-old claimed his fourth US PGA Tour title at the Honda Classic in Florida, overcoming a final round stumble to finish at 12-under-par 268, four shots ahead of fellow Americans Morgan Hoffmann (68) and Gary Woodland (69).
Fowler started Sunday's round at the PGA National course in West Palm Beach with a four-shot lead but suffered three dropped shots in his first six holes en route to a final-round 71.
"Being out front and getting the job done, especially with giving some back and having to fight back with it, it's special to be able to pull it off," said Fowler.
With his first US tour victory since September 2015, Fowler is projected to jump from world No.14 to No.9 in the world rankings.
But Fowler conceded more wins were needed to get on pace with the likes of major champions Johnson, Day, Spieth and McIlroy.
"I'll try and sneak in the back right now," said Fowler.
"I still need to put myself in position, be consistent and win more golf tournaments.
"Whether I'm talked about with those guys or not, I''m excited to be back in the top 10 in the world with the amount of great, young talent we have right now."
With Johnson usurping Australian Day as world No.1 and in-form Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama climbing to No.4, Fowler admitted 2017 was set up to provide a great tussle among the sport's elite.
"Seeing what Hideki was doing end of last year and the start of this year, Justin Thomas going on a run, it's going to be a fun year," said Fowler.
"Dustin's always been an impressive player. There are a lot of guys playing well."
RICKIE FOWLER'S CAREER AT A GLANCE
* October, 2011 - Fowler bags first professional victory at the Kolon Open in Korea
*May, 2012 - Secures first US PGA Tour win at Wells Fargo Championship
* 2014: Doesn't finish worse than fifth in all four major championships, including runner-ups at the US Open and British Open
* May, 2015: Fowler is voted alongside Ian Poulter as the most overrated players in golf by fellow by PGA Tour pros in an anonymous poll conducted by Sports Illustrated
*May, 2015: One week after the disparaging poll, Fowler wins the Players Championship in a playoff
*July 2015, Fowler wins the Scottish Open for his first European Tour title
*September, 2015 - Fowler wins the Deutsche Bank Championship in the US tour's FedEx Cup playoffs series
* January, 2016 - Fowler beats a star-studded field to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for his second win on the European Tour
* February, 2017 - Wins Honda Classic for his fourth US tour title.
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