McDowell became the first European winner of the US Open in 40 years

Graeme McDowell has been named player of the year by the Golf Writers Association of America.

McDowell became the first European in 40 years to win the US Open in June and also clinched the decisive point in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

The Northern Irishman edged out Jim Furyk and Martin Kaymer for the award.

Taiwan's Yani Tseng was named women's player of the year while Germany's Bernhard Langer clinched the senior player's award.

McDowell has already won the British Golf Writers Trophy and was joint winner of the European Tour award with Kaymer.

The Northern Irishman topped the US writers poll with 87 votes ahead of Furyk on 61 and Kaymer's 51.

In addition to his US Open triumph at Pebble Beach, McDowell won three other titles in 2010, including a play-off victory over Tiger Woods earlier this month at the World Challenge.

McDowell, Langer and Tseng will receive their awards in Augusta on 6 April on the eve of the Masters, the first major men's championship of 2011.

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