The 2012 European Tour International Schedule, announced today, features true worldwide competition celebrating both the diversity and the shared passion for golf across the globe.
From the curtain-raising Africa Open – which gets underway at the East London Golf Club on Thursday January 5 – through to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at the Jumeirah Golf Estates – which culminates on Sunday November 25 – The 2012 European Tour International Schedule will present 11 months of enthralling tournament action.
One highlight will be The European Tour’s flagship event – the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club from May 24-27 – where, this year, Luke Donald pipped Lee Westwood in a play-off for the title; a victory which helped him become World Number One and was a major influence on him capturing The Race to Dubai and being voted The 2011 European Tour Golfer of the Year last week.
Another tournament which will attract huge worldwide interest will be the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles from August 23-26, the final counting event for players aiming to qualify for the European Team bound for The 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in Illinois under the captaincy of José María Olazábal.
For the second year in succession, European Tour Members will arrive at three of the four Majors as defending champions; in the guise of Charl Schwartzel (Masters Tournament at Augusta National from April 5-8), Rory McIlory (US Open Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco from June 14-17), and Darren Clarke (The 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes from July 19-22).
All five continents – Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australasia – will stage tournaments and while the schedule currently features 46 counting events towards The 2012 Race to Dubai – in addition to The 2012 Ryder Cup – further tournament announcements will be made in due course.
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are delighted today to announce our 2012 schedule which once again is strong and vibrant and one which will allow our Members to exhibit their undoubted talents in a variety of venues around the world.
“The success of our Members globally has clearly contributed to the continuing development of The European Tour International Schedule but we are further inspired by the superb support of our many partners and sponsors, across many geographically and culturally diverse regions, all of whom deserve our sincere thanks for their support in these economically challenging times.
“Our most recent sponsorship announcement, which has seen The Race to Dubai extended through to the end of 2014 – with the end of season tournament being retitled the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – is particularly significant. In DP World and Nakheel we have two incredibly strong partners who will help provide a truly fitting end to what already looks like being another exciting season.”
To view the 2012 European Tour International Schedule click here.