GRAEME McDOWELL SIGNS $3MILLION DEAL WITH SRIXON

FROM THE BELFASTTELEGRAPH.CO.UK WEBSITE
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell has agreed the first of a series of mega-buck contracts which, in the New Year, will establish him as one of the top earners in world golf.
US Open champion McDowell has accepted a “multi-year” deal worth a reputed $3million per annum with Japanese equipment giant Srixon.
A year of spectacular success on the world's fairways had already established McDowell as the highest new entry at No 14 in the sport's unofficial ‘rich list’ — when Golf Digest's top 50 earners in 2010 was published on Thursday.
As his contract with Callaway did not expire until midnight last night, McDowell's new equipment deal with Srixon is not included in the $9.7million which Golf Digest estimate Ulster's world No 7 banked on and off the course in the past 12 months.
"I am really excited about my decision," he told his official website (http://www.graememcdowell.com/).

"There is a great energy among the team ... regarding my signing with them and I looking forward to feeding off this energy going into 2011."
Rory McIlroy has soared 11 places to 24th with $8.2million.
McDowell has agreed to play with the Srixon golf ball, wear their hat and glove and, along with his choice of Srixon clubs, use wedges produced by sister company Cleveland, the world-leaders in this department.

McDOWELL PAIRED WITH MAHAN IN HAWAII EVENT
McDowell has been paired with Hunter Mahan at next week's US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions in a group that will bring back memories of the Ryder Cup.
McDowell won the decisive final singles match 2010 Cup by beating the American 3 and 1 in a dramatic finish to the event at Celtic Manor.
The Ulsterman will be the only reigning major champion in the elite field of 34 at the US Tour's season-opening competition at Kapalua in Hawaii, starting on Thursday, January 6.
And the organisers have ensured that McDowell will have the chance to relive one of the enduring memories of 2010 as he gets the new campaign underway.
"As a golf fan, one of the most compelling moments of 2010 was their final-day match up during the Ryder Cup," said tournament director Nancy Cross.
"To have these two paired together for the start of the season ... well, we couldn't have scripted it better." Editor's note: Which they probably did!
Other pairings at the Tournament of Champions see Ernie Els - a winner of the 2003 event - tee off with Australia's Jason Day while McDowell's Ryder Cup team-mate Francesco Molinari plays with Adam Scott.
The final two-ball features defending champion Geoff Ogilvy and 2010 FedEx Cup winner Jim Furyk.