Return to PGA Tour sees Westwood benefit from the best of both worlds

The move will see Westwood compete in The Players Championship at Sawgrass, which he did not contest this year due to scheduling complications, and attempt to qualify for the lucrative play-offs and FedEx Cup for the first time.

“I missed The Players Championship last year when watching it on television,” said the Worksop professional.

Westwood has in the past shied away from committing himself to America, with the FedEx Cup play-offs falling in August after the US PGA Championship, a time he normally reserves for spending at home with his wife and children.

“It was always a scheduling issue for me,” he continued.

“Though the rules changed, making it exempt from PGA Tour restrictions, I had already set my schedule for later in the year in Asia.

“I didn’t want to break any of those commitments.

“It’s a great event and one I’ve always enjoyed playing.

“It just felt right in Ryder Cup year to commit to a full programme in the United States.

“The FedEx Cup looked pretty good on TV this year.

“I thought it would be great to give it a go, having never taken part.”

Westwood’s first tournament in America will be the Accenture World Match Play in Arizona in February.

He is obliged to play a minimum of 15 events in the United States. Next year’s Ryder Cup will be held at Medinah, Chicago, on September 28-30.