Ronnie O'Sullivan said he believes he can reach 30 ranking titles, after taking his 21st at the Northern Ireland Trophy, the first ranking event of the season, on Sunday. The Rocket saw off Dave Harold 9-3 in the final at the Belfast Waterfront to win his third ranking tournament within the past nine months.
Stephen Hendry's record of 36 crowns is surely out of sight, but O'Sullivan, 32, feels he can surpass Steve Davis's total of 28.
"I should be able to get past that. I have thought about it, and seven more is not that many," he said.
"It would be nice to get to 30 if I play long enough. My form is much more consistent than it has been in the past. I still go missing for a couple of frames, but then I put in four or five good ones."
O'Sullivan added that his new level of consistency has been achieved through alterations to his cue.
"It's down to the technical work I've been doing with (coach) Frank (Adamson) since 2001," said the world champion and No.1.
"There are still things that I'm working on but I'll keep it to myself what they are.
"I was frustrated for a long time and I've worked with a lot of different coaches so there's a message there somewhere. Sometimes I wanted to give it up, but I stuck in there."
As for the match against Harold, O'Sullivan said: "It was workmanlike, I played well in patches and I felt strong.
"I came here just hoping to win a couple of matches, so I'm delighted to have won the tournament. Usually I aim to start playing well around December in time for the UK and the Masters, so it's great to blow the cobwebs away this early in the season."
O'Sullivan won £30,000 while Harold claimed £15,000 as runner-up. Harold failed to add to his 1993 Asian Open title but was still pleased with his week's work.
"I've got a lot of positives to take away from the tournament," said the 41-year-old from Stoke.
"I've done my ranking the world of good and I've shown that I'm still around and I can beat the top players. I can keep this form going and get better, and I hope it won't be another 14 years before I get to a final."
Harold moves up to No.14 in the rankings after his successful run in Belfast.