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United States-based Scottish golfer Martin Laird has announced he will join the European Tour with the goal of qualifying for the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Scottish number one Laird revealed that he will take up affiliate membership from the start of next season.

Glasgow-born Laird failed in a bid to join ahead of the 2010 Ryder Cup having not played the minimum of 12 events.

"I want to make it clearly into the side and not by just making the team from staying in America," he said.

The Arizona-based player, speaking ahead of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, made it clear that playing in the Ryder Cup was a key aim for him.

"The Ryder Cup is definitely high up on my agenda and I will be joining the European Tour next year and play a few more European Tour events," said Laird.

"I want to come back and play a few more events and hopefully be in a situation where I can play myself onto the European team.

"So I'll be joining as an affiliate member and hopefully (playing) 13 European Tour counting events."

However, Laird faces a tough task to make the team as he will miss out on four months of the Ryder Cup qualifying period.