Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell’s 2016 PGA Tour status is secure with the Tour revealing they have added a one-year exemption onto the two years in winning the 2013 RBC Heritage Classic.

McDowell contested the minimum of 15 events in a season capped by a best of T3rd in the very first event of his 2014/15 season at the WGC – HSBC Champions but then spoilt by six missed cuts to eventually also miss the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series by finishing 160th on the money list.

Graeme McDowell has been given an extra year’s exemption to compete on the 2015/16 PGA Tour.(Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

And as both McDowell’s five-year exemption in winning the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and also his two year exemption in capturing the 2013 RBC Heritage ends this year then in theory he failed to retain full PGA Tour playing rights in ending 35 places outside of retaining full 2015/16 Tour membership.

Not so!

A PGA Tour spokesman indicated:  “Given Graeme earned a five-year exemption in winning the 2010 U.S. Open that would have ended this year, and along with the two years he was afforded in winning the 2013 RBC Heritage Classic, the Tour has taken into account that with the over-lapping of both exemptions to grant Graeme an extra one year exemption.

“It means he will be exempt to compete on the PGA Tour to the end of the 2016 season.”