U.S. Open champ McDowell joins PGA TOUR for rest of 2010

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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell has taken up membership on the PGA TOUR for the remainder of the 2010 season.

The Northern Irishman notified officials at PGA TOUR headquarters of his decision to join this week. McDowell earned a five-year exemption with his win at Pebble Beach.

McDowell has indicated he'd like to make a push to qualify for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup that begin in seven weeks. He can begin earning points this week at the 150th anniversary Open Championship at St. Andrews.

McDowell has also committed to play in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship. There are three other events in which he could earn FedExCup points before the cutoff date after the Wyndham Championship is over.

The Northern Irishman has flexibility now since his coveted spot on the European Ryder Cup team is virtually secure after the U.S. Open victory. And even if he was knocked out in one of the two points qualifications, European Captain Colin Montgomerie would be hard-pressed not to pick McDowell.

Not to mention, McDowell, who played collegiately at Alabama-Birmingham, already has a home in Orlando at Lake Nona. He said at the U.S. Open he liked the option of playing a world-wide schedule. "I've played quite a lot out here this season," McDowell said. "... I think the great thing about golfers in Europe is we play all over the world, and I think we're better players and better people because of that."

Swedish veteran Robert Karlsson, who tied for second at the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew last month, apparently plans to follow McDowell's lead for the 2011 season.

On Monday, Karlsson tweeted that "One of the Swedish papers wrote that I was leaving the European Tour that is WRONG. But I will be a member in America as well next year."

McDowell has played in seven PGA TOUR events this year. He has one other top-10 finish, a tie for sixth at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship. Karlsson has played in eight, with his best finish a second place at the St. Jude Classic.