PGA Tour announces 2012 schedule

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The PGA Tour said its 2012 schedule will open with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii Jan. 2-9, the first of 37 events on the calendar.

The 2012 schedule ends with the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in Florida, which will be contested Nov. 5-11.

The Tournament of Champions will have a Monday finish, tour officials said, to accommodate NBC football coverage with the NFL playoffs scheduled for Jan. 8.

In addition to the 37 regular events on the schedule, the PGA Tour will have four playoff tournaments over five weeks. There will be an open date between the BMW Championship Sept. 3-9 and the Tour Championship Sept. 17-23.

The Ryder Cup is scheduled for the week in between those tournaments.

There are six fall tournaments set for next year.

"The 2012 schedule again demonstrates the strength of our sport with a very strong collection of tournaments, venues and sponsors that provide outstanding playing opportunities for our members and attractive viewing options for our fans," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.

"The FedExCup and the PGA Tour Playoffs continue to generate interest and excitement through September, with the Fall Series focusing on the drama of players fighting for their playing privileges."

The major tournament schedule in 2012 has the Masters being played April 2-8, the U.S. Open June 14-17, British Open July 19-22 and the PGA Championship Aug. 6-12.