There's good news in the 2012 LPGA schedule, released by the tour on Tuesday: More tournaments, more money at stake for the players.
A tour that had 34 tournaments as recently as 2008 bottomed out last year with only 23 official money tournaments. But in 2012, there will be 27 official money events on the LPGA Tour. And total purse size increases by more than $7 million.
Three tournaments are brand new: Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Canada, LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii, and the Kingsmill Championship in Virginia (Kingsmill was formerly the site of the Michelob Ultra Open, which discontinued several years ago).
The tour also added the Women's Australian Open, a long-running event now cosanctioned by the LPGA. And the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic returns to the schedule after a one-year absence. In addition, the Founders Cup, which in 2011 had a "phantom" purse, will award a full purse to players in 2012.
This year is the last season before the LPGA adds a fifth major at the Evian; the four current majors are scheduled thusly:
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan had stated that it's possible that another event or two could yet be added for 2012. Not likely, but possible.
2012 LPGA Tour schedule
A tour that had 34 tournaments as recently as 2008 bottomed out last year with only 23 official money tournaments. But in 2012, there will be 27 official money events on the LPGA Tour. And total purse size increases by more than $7 million.
Three tournaments are brand new: Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Canada, LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii, and the Kingsmill Championship in Virginia (Kingsmill was formerly the site of the Michelob Ultra Open, which discontinued several years ago).
The tour also added the Women's Australian Open, a long-running event now cosanctioned by the LPGA. And the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic returns to the schedule after a one-year absence. In addition, the Founders Cup, which in 2011 had a "phantom" purse, will award a full purse to players in 2012.
This year is the last season before the LPGA adds a fifth major at the Evian; the four current majors are scheduled thusly:
- March 29-April 1: Kraft Nabisco Championship
- June 7-10: Wegmans LPGA Championship
- July 5-8: U.S. Women's Open
- Sept. 13-16: Ricoh Women's British Open
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan had stated that it's possible that another event or two could yet be added for 2012. Not likely, but possible.
2012 LPGA Tour schedule
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