Wednesday October 06, 2010, 07:46 PM

European Ryder Cup winning star Lee Westwood said on Wednesday he was staying loyal to the European Tour while the man who won the matchwinning point Graeme McDowell announced he would be taking up the option of a USPGA Tour card.

The duo - who were part of the European side that pulled off a thrilling victory over the United States to regain the Ryder Cup on Monday - were speaking on the eve of the Dunhill Links Championship.

Westwood, who needs to finish either first or second at this week's event in Scotland to end Tiger Woods's five-year reign at the top of the global rankings, said that having discussed the matter with his manager Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler he was sticking with the European Tour.

The 37-year-old's decision will mean he is ineligible for some lucrative events such as the FedEx Cup - which earned this season's winner Jim Furyk more than 7million pounds.

"I don't want to be dictated to by having to go to America to play FedEx Cup when it doesn't really mean that much to me," said Westwood, who was inspired at the Ryder Cup leading from the front after a two month lay-off with a calf injury.

"It doesn't mean enough to me anyway.

"I think they (the PGA Tour) would like me to go and be a member there, but as of Monday evening I became an individual again and I do what's right for Lee Westwood now."

Westwood, who won three of his four matches at Celtic Manor, said that he had had as good a season as he could remember and saw no reason why he should transplant his family to the United States.

"Chubby said 'why take up membership in the States when you've been the most successful player in the world this year and (despite a seven-week injury lay-off) still have a great chance to go to world number one?" said Westwood.

"You've come second in two major championships, you must be doing something right, why not stick to the same schedule?'

"I don't want to get into a situation where I have to play events in America just to make up the 15 required."

McDowell, who showed nerves of steel to beat Hunter Mahan in the final singles match on Monday, said that he really wanted to prove himself on a regular basis having been given a second opportunity following a frustrating first try.

"I won't be playing as many events in America as, say, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, but I am taking up my card," said McDowell, who captured his first major this season the US Open.

"I had one in 2006 but got injured early in that season and now I want to give it a real try," added the 31-year-old, jokingly referred to as the 'American' because of his accent dating back to his university days in Alabama.

The Dunhill Links Championship starts on Thursday and runs until Sunday.

© 2010 AFP/sid