Graeme McDowell's traveling in different circles these days. The Ulsterman begins his 2011 season Thursday in the PGA Tour's season-opening, winners-only Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, as the No. 5 player in the world — the highest ranking of his career. THE MAJORS: Our 2011 major champions AT A GLANCE: This week in golf His status as a hero over the pond remains intact after he cemented Europe's win in the Ryder Cup by making the biggest putt of his life on the 16th hole in the decisive singles match. He's the reigning U.S. Open champion. And later this year he has a date at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II after becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's honors list. "I'll be in the top hat and tails and the whole shebang," McDowell said in a phone interview from Hawaii. "It's such a great honor. You can't really quantify anything like that. It's just tough to get the head around all of what it really means. I will definitely look at 2010 as a season I will cherish all my life."...

Graeme McDowell no longer flying under golf's radar