US Open champion Graeme McDowell plans to have a bit of fun while adopting a hard-nosed mentality at the end-of-season PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

While the Northern Irishman has set his sights on victory in the prestigious, four-man event, he also wants to enjoy the two days of competition at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton as much as he can.

"It's going to be a great experience," McDowell said, whose parents have made the trip the Bermuda. "I've got my mum and dad with me. They're kicking back on the beach this afternoon.

"There's going to be an element of fun to it but I'm also looking to try and make a statement as a top major champion.

"Winning a major is something we dream about as professional golfers and it's a very elite field to be part of."

The 36-hole Grand Slam of Golf, billed as "the most exclusive tournament in golf", brings together the winners of the year's four majors.

Germany's Martin Kaymer, who won the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in August, and former major winners Els of South Africa and American Toms will join McDowell.

"It's probably the toughest fourball to get into in the world and to be part of that as a US Open champion is going to be a great experience," said McDowell, who clinched his first major title at Pebble Beach in June.

"Obviously missing Phil and Louis is unfortunate. It would have been special to have all four major winners there this year but we have pretty worthy replacements in Ernie Els and David Toms – both great, great players."

Kaymer has already been tipped to win this week's Grand Slam by Squirt, the resident octopus oracle at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

And he certainly hopes the eight-legged prognosticator is proved correct.

"Hopefully it works . . . It's a funny thing. It's a funny story. But we'll see if I can answer that question on Wednesday," he joked.

Kaymer, the youngest of the foursome, described yesterday's round as like playing golf in 'paradise'.

"It's very different than in Germany. But for me very Florida like, I would say. The grass is very similar," he said. "I think for the tournament, perfect. I think for the spectators, very nice.

"They can see us playing. There are great holes next to the ocean. It's like a paradise, playing golf in paradise. Obviously for me as a German, we don't really have that. Not the paradise, but those kinds of golf courses."

The elite stroke-play event was held in Hawaii from 1991 to 2006 before moving to Bermuda in 2007.