PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Lee Westwood has decided to join the PGA Tour again.

It will be the first time the English star has taken up PGA Tour membership since the 2008 season. The move requires Westwood to compete in 15 tournaments, which includes the four majors and World Golf Championships.

Westwood says he will return to The Players Championship, which he skipped this year because his schedule already was full. He also said he was intrigued watching the FedEx Cup playoffs on television and would like to take part in them.

Westwood started the year at No. 1 in the world and has since slipped to No. 3. He plans to start his American schedule next year at the Match Play Championship in Arizona, which counts toward the PGA and European tours.