More McDowell, less Westwood on the PGA TOUR in 2011

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Graeme McDowell earned a five-year PGA TOUR exemption when he won the U.S. Open in June.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Reigning U.S. Open champion and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland confirmed Wednesday that he will be taking up a PGA TOUR card and competing for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup next year. But his European Ryder Cup teammate, Lee Westwood, said he will not be a regular on the PGA TOUR in 2011.

McDowell, who clinched the Ryder Cup for Europe by beating American Hunter Mahan in the final match Monday at Celtic Manor, said he also plans to compete for the European money list.

"I won't be playing as many events in America as, say, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, but I am taking up my card," McDowell said. "I had one in 2006 but got injured early in that season, and now I want to give it a real try."

Westwood, the 37-year-old Englishman who is in position to replace Tiger Woods atop the Official World Golf Ranking, said Wednesday that he will put his family first in 2011, remaining based in Europe despite the millions more he could earn competing for the FedExCup.

His only trips to America next year will be for the majors, the three U.S.-based World Golf Championships and occasional events that might help him prepare for those tournaments. Westwood won the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew earlier this year at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.

"I'm not taking my card up in the States," Westwood said as he prepared for Thursday's start of the Dunhill Links Championship.

Another European Ryder Cupper, Rory McIlroy, will continue to compete on the PGA TOUR but plans to reduce his playing schedule. McIlroy was a PGA TOUR rookie this year and won the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C.

"I will only be playing 25 tournaments in all next year as against 29 on both tours this year," said the 21-year-old Northern Irishman.

Westwood has a chance to end Woods' 278-week run as golf's top-ranked player by finishing first or second in the $5 million event on three coastline courses, including St. Andrews. If he succeeds Woods, he would be the first European golfer to reach No. 1 since Nick Faldo in 1994.

"Why would you take up membership in the States when you've been the most successful player in the world this year?" Westwood asked. "When you've come in second in two major championships, you must be doing something right. Why not stick to the same schedule?"

Westwood was runner-up in the Masters and the British Open and could become only the third player to reach No. 1 without having won a major.

Westwood said he has been asked by American officials to join the PGA TOUR, but after another successful Ryder Cup for Europe, he turned his focus to personal goals.

"As of Monday evening in Wales I became an individual again, and I do what's right for Lee Westwood now," he said.

Woods will not compete until November when he visits China for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions and Melbourne for the Australian Masters.

Choosing to play more in Europe than America in 2011 will make it more difficult for Westwood to remain No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking because for most weeks of the year the PGA TOUR events carry more ranking points.

The Dunhill Links is an exception to that rule, with eight other members of the European Ryder Cup team taking part, including McDowell, McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Padraig Harrington, Ross Fisher, Peter Hanson, Edoardo Molinari and captain Colin Montgomerie.