Should more European players test themselves on the US Tour?

Kaymer is current Race to Dubai champion

It comes as no surprise to someone who follows golf week after week that the top of the Official World Rankings has a distinctly un-American feel to it.

For the first time in 18 years, European players occupy the top four spots at the summit of the golfing world, in Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell – a statistic that accurately reflects what has been true for the past eight months.

Defending US PGA champion Kaymer has been given an accolade he richly deserves, becoming the second-youngest player to sit atop the rankings. He has won five times on the European and US circuit since the beginning of 2010, winning two more tournaments than anyone else in that span.

But the 26-year-old German, who owns a winter base in Arizona and was handed a five-year US Tour exemption following his first major win at Whistling Straits in August, made the decision to remain loyal to the European Tour for 2011.

Continental comforts

When questioned about his choice, Kaymer confirmed he felt more comfortable and at home this side of the Atlantic – a decision that reflects well as defending Race to Dubai champion. He is this season’s flagship bearer for the European Tour and a key asset in promoting the game to other parts of the world. He will, however, play two or three events in America, on top of the Majors and World Golf Championships.

England’s Westwood, who saw his 17-week long reign as world number one overhauled by Kaymer, has put family first, while Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who won the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship, has also handed in his US Tour membership after just one season because he missed home too much.

Westwood and McIlroy’s only trips to the United States this season will comprise of three majors, three World Golf Championships, The Players Championship and three others – the 10 tournament restriction for former US Tour members.

Points mean prizes

The trio’s decision will mean European Tour events receive enhanced world ranking points when they take part.

Director of International Policy on the PGA European Tour, Keith Waters, said: “Naturally, we are delighted the likes of Kaymer, Westwood and McIlroy are showing us full support this season.”

“The four majors and the four World Golf Championships give the opportunity for the world’s leading players to play against each other, so it is not necessary to commit full time to the PGA Tour.

“Each player has a view as to how he can reach the top of the world rankings and he may prefer to live in Europe, play regularly on the European Tour and travel to the three Majors and WGCs in the United States.”

In the 1980s and 1990s, a string of leading Europeans who had honed their games on European soil, including Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo, quit to play on the PGA Tour. To compete on the US Tour, players must participate in a minimum of 15 events to retain full membership, which for most players would mean moving to America for good.

But it would be wrong to suggest the PGA Tour is losing its pulling power just yet, because the circuit still boasts top-10 Brits Donald, McDowell and Paul Casey as full-time members.

Taking the plunge

Poulter and Rose made giant strides last year

For some Europeans, the decision to play in America has taken no thought at all. The likes of Donald, McDowell, Casey, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose have lent their support to the US Tour over the last few years because they believe you cannot become a great player until you have won the biggest tournaments. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson has also made a permanent move to follow an off-course business commitment.

Moving to America can also benefit players preparing for a Major championship, with the hard and fast greens compared with the relatively slower greens in Europe.

The PGA Tour also boasts a $10m lure for winning the season-long FedExCup race, against the European Tour’s £1m prize for the Race to Dubai.

But judging by the current state of world golf, the top Europeans this side of the pond are doing just fine. The game is taxing enough when missing a fairway or three putting a par 5 when hitting the green in two, let alone combining it with the worry and strain of missing loved ones back home. Players must do what feels right at the end of the day.