Kaymer follows example set by Westwood and McIlroy

The sport's newest major champion made his decision known at the Dubai World Championship, where on Sunday he hopes to be crowned the European Tour's leading money-winner this season and maybe world No 1 as well.

US PGA champion Kaymer, now an honorary member of the Tour along with US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, lives part of the year in Arizona but even that was not enough to prompt him to play both circuits in 2011.

"I consider the European Tour as my home – that is where I feel comfortable," said the 25-year-old ahead of the season's final event.

"I think you play against the best players in the world. You have all of the great players here and schedule-wise it doesn't fit for me next year to play on the PGA Tour.

"I made my decision. I sat down last week with my manager and family and had a look at the schedule. I will play probably two or three more events in America, but mainly I will play in Europe."

Westwood, who replaced Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings, has put family first, while McIlroy has handed in his US Tour membership after one season because he was missing Europe so much.

So at a time when the United States needs all the stars they can get, their own rules will limit the amount Kaymer, Westwood and McIlroy can put in appearances.

"I would have thought they would want as many of the top world-ranked players playing in their events as possible," said Westwood, whose only trips to the States will be for three majors, three world championships, the Players' Championship and three others.

As members, the trio would be required to play a minimum of 15 tournaments – 14 if you do not count the Open.

George O'Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, was jubilant on hearing Kaymer's news. Their minimum number has just been increased from 12 to 13 and he said: "Naturally enough we're delighted he's going to show us such full support.

"To be a great golfer you've got to be a great player in America as well, but you are going to go there for the three majors if you are at that level, three world championships and others."

The season comes to its climax with Kaymer and McDowell, his only challenger for the 'Race to Dubai' money list title, having the chance to earn more than 1.7m. The first prize is almost 777,000 and the bonus for becoming the Tour's No 1 is 932,024.

Yorkshire trio Simon Dyson, Danny Willett and John Parry are paired with Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen and Chris Wood, respectively, in the first round.