Graeme McDowell, this years U.S. open winner, is to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Ulster.

In June 2010, McDowell won the U.S. open at Pebble Beach, becoming the first Irishman to accomplish the feat, and the first European U.S. Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

He was also the first player from the United Kingdom to win a major championship since Paul Lawrie won The Open Championship in 1999 and the first Northern Irishman to win a major since Fred Daly won the 1947 Open Championship.

McDowell was also the golfer behind the decisive point for Europe in this year's Ryder Cup.

McDowell will join Darren Clarke as one of the University of Ulster's doctorate alumina.

Clarke received his honorary doctorate in 2002.

McDowell's doctorate will be bestowed upon him at a ceremony in the New Year.

University of Ulster Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Barnett said: "We are delighted that Graeme has accepted an honorary doctorate after what has been an amazing year for him on both sides of the Atlantic.

He added: "He has been a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland, Irish and European golf and has fulfilled the potential that many saw in him when he won the Ulster Boys Championship in 1996 and later the Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer in the United States in 2002.