A momentous time for European golf just got even better – Martin Kaymer has followed Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy in turning down membership of the American PGA Tour next season.

The sport’s newest major champion made his decision known yesterday 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 number one ranking as well.

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 European Tour as my home – that is where I feel comfortable,” said the 25-year-old German.

“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.”

Asked if he had received a call from a crying Tim Finchem, the US Tour commissioner, Kaymer added: “Not yet. Maybe I’ll get one on Monday.

“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 be in Europe.”

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

Meanwhile, the season comes to its climax with both Kaymer and McDowell, his only challenger for the ‘Race to Dubai’ money list title, both having the chance to earn more than £1.7m this weekend.

The tournament first prize is almost £777,000 and the bonus for becoming the Tour’s number one is £932,024.