2012 European Tour schedule

The schedule for the first six months of the 2012 European Tour season has been released with the new campaign beginning at the Africa Open on January 5.

That will be followed by the Joburg Open, also in South Africa,before The European Tour's 2011 tournament winners gather for the second edition of the Volvo Golf Champions.

Venue negotiations for the Volvo Golf Champions are in the final stages, the details of which will be announced shortly, with the 2 million Euro tournament to be played from January 19-22. Every European Tour champion of 2011, in addition to all players under the age of 50 who have amassed ten or more European Tour career victories, will be eligible to play in the event, creating a true tournament of Champions.

Other significant changes in the initial sector of the 2012 schedule include two new venues.

The Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin, China, will host Volvo's 75th European Tour event, the Volvo China Open, while the Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, Sciacca, Sicily, is the venue for the Sicilian Open.

The Open de Espana will return to the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, where Peter Lawrie and Alvaro Quiros won in 2008 and 2010 respectively, while the 20th anniversary edition of the Madeira Islands Open returns to Santo da Serra Golf Club.

Meanwhile, the Trophee Hassan II will change from its Pro-Am format back to a four round stroke play tournament, with 126 players competing at a single venue - the Golf Du Palais Royal in Agadir, Morocco.

The most significant date change in the first part of The 2012 European Tour International Schedule sees the Nordea Masters at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Stockholm, Sweden, move from its traditional July date - the week after the Open Championship - to the earlier date of Wednesday, June 6 - Saturday, June 9.

Tournament Organisers at the Nordea Masters have decided to finish the tournament on a Saturday to allow those players competing in the following week's US Open Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco an additional day to make the journey from the Swedish capital to America's west coast.

The European Tour's flagship event, the 4.5 million Euro BMW PGA Championship will again see the world's golfing spotlight turned on the West Course at Wentworth Club, from May 24-27, when world number one Luke Donald will defend the Tour's most coveted title.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: "There is always a great sense of anticipation when thoughts turn to a new season and we believe the initial sector of our 2012 International Schedule delivers a diverse, global schedule that can enable our Members to continue their historic achievements of the past two years.

"With landmark events in South Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia, the USA and, of course, Europe, we are confident our International Schedule offers modern golfers the opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage.

2012 Schedule

The Concentration - Azahara Muñoz

Azahara Munoz of Europe tees off on the 9th hole during the afternoon fourballs on day two of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 24, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland. (September 23, 2011 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)

Captain Nicholas to Stand Down

Alison Nicholas insists she plans to stand aside as captain following Europe's memorable Solheim Cup triumph over America on Sunday and revealed a pep talk from Suzann Pettersen had played a crucial part in the triumph.

In a thrilling climax at Killeen Castle, Europe produced a sensational late charge in the singles matches to snatch a 15-13 victory over their US counterparts.

Pettersen led the way as she birdied the final three holes of her match with Michelle Wie to clinch an unlikely point while rookie Caroline Hedwall fought back from two down against Ryann O'Toole to secure a vital half.

Fellow rookie Azahara Munoz then got Europe over the line as she held her nerve to edge out Angela Stanford sparking wild celebrations in County Meath as Europe ended a run of three successive defeats in the event.

Nicholas was full of praise for the trio and disclosed that Pettersen had rallied the troops ahead of the dramatic finale.

Pep talk

"We had some rain delays and we were in the clubhouse, and when they were taking the players back out to their positions to restart the three of them (Pettersen, Hedwall and Munoz) shared a cart and they had a pep talk with one another and they said 'come on, we need our points'," she explained to Sky Sports News.

"Suzann initiated that and her leadership, and the fact the rookies took it on board, was the perfect scenario."

But Nicholas was full of praise for her entire team, adding: "We went out on won it, we won the singles fair and square and that is something I've always believed we can do, we've just lacked a bit of belief in ourselves to actually take them on head to head.

"But now I think they can go forward and I think we should look to two years' time and see if we can win it in America for the first time."

However, the diminutive 49-year-old insisted she would not be leading the team at the 2013 match in Colorado.

"No, I've done my time," she smiled. "I'm very happy and I need to hand the baton on. It's important that other players deserve that opportunity and honour."

Pettersen praise

Pettersen was quick to pay tribute to the European skipper, labelling her an inspiration to the players.

"She (Nicholas) can leave now, she's got her win," the Norwegian stated. "I've known Ally for a while, last time we came close and this time she wanted it desperately.

"She's great; she's tiny but she's fiery. She has guts and she'll do what she thinks is right for the team and sometimes that's making hard calls which is not always a pleasant thing to do but she can do it and she stands up for herself.

"She's a great leader and a great inspiration for the rest of us."

Pettersen also revealed the celebrations following the triumph stretched long into the night, adding: "It's sad it's over because it's so much fun and it was a great party last night. You can't ask for any better, especially here in Ireland in front of all the crowds.

"It's amazing, it was almost an impossible challenge and we pulled it off so it's definitely one of the best ones I've ever been a part of."