Changes afoot for European Tour

Last updated: 25th November 2012

The European Tour will introduce a 'Final Series' of four big-money events at the end of next season - two in China, one in Turkey and then one in Dubai.

The four events - the BMW Masters, WGC-HSBC Champions, Turkish Open and the DP World Tour Championship - will feature a total prize money of £19million.

In an effort to strengthen the fields and generate more excitement for these events, players will only be eligible for the season-ending showdown if they compete in two of the first three - and if they are at all three then their points on the 'Race to Dubai' money list will receive a 20 per cent bonus.

Tour chief executive George O'Grady said: "The introduction of 'The Final Series' and the associated changes to the structure are being made to bring even more drama and excitement to the conclusion of our season and to further enhance the 'Race to Dubai'.

"We felt there had to be an additional level of commitment from the membership to these important tournaments, hence the new regulation.

"The response from our leading players to this change has been extremely encouraging and we take confidence from their support as we look to continue the positive evolution of the European Tour in an extremely challenging economic climate."

It is also hoped this restructuring will help to avoid a situation like the one the Tour had this year, when Rory McIlroy wrapped up the money list race two weeks ago after finishing third at the Singapore Open.

McIlroy also caused controversy earlier this month when he opted against playing in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai in favour a one-day match against Tiger Woods elsewhere in China.

Schedule for the 2013 European Tour

December 2012

6-9 Nelson Mandela Championship, Royal Durban, South Africa

13-16 Alfred Dunhill Championship, Leopard Creek, South Africa

January

10-13 Volvo Champions, Durban Country Club, South Africa

17-20 Abu Dhabi Championship, Abu Dhabi

23-26 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Doha, Qatar

31-Feb 3 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates, Dubai

February

7-10 Joburg Open, Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, South Africa

14-17 Africa Open, East London, South Africa

21-24 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Dove Mountain, Tucson, Arizona, United States

28-Mar 3 Tshwane Open, Copperleaf, South Africa

March

7-10 WGC-Cadillac Championship, Doral, Miami, Florida, United States

14-17 Avantha Masters, Jaypee Green, Delhi, India

21-24 Maybank Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

28-31 Hassan Trophy, Royal Palace, Adagir, Morocco

April

11-14 US MASTERS, AUGUSTA NATIONAL, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

18-21 Reale Seguros Spanish Open, venue to be announced

25-28 Ballantine's Championship, Blackstone, Icheon, South Korea

May

2-5 Volvo China Open, Binhai Lake, Tianjin, China

16-19 Volvo World Match Play Championship, Thracian Cliffs, Kavarna, Bulgaria

23-26 BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth, Surrey, England

30-Jun 2 Nordea Master, Bro Hof Slott, Stockholm, Sweden

June

6-9 Lyoness Open, Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria

13-16 US OPEN, MERION, ARDMORE, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES

13-16 Open Najeti, Aa Saint Omer, Lumbres, France

20-23 BMW International Open, Munchen Eichenried, Munich, Germany

27-30 Irish Open, Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare, Ireland

July

4-7 Alstom French Open, Le Golf National, Paris, France

11-14 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, Castle Stuart, Inverness, Scotland

18-21 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, MUIRFIELD, GULLANE, SCOTLAND

25-28 Russian Masters, venue TBA

August

1-4 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone, Akron, Ohio, United States

8-11 USPGA CHAMPIONSHIP, OAK HILL, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

22-25 Johnnie Walker Championship, Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

29-Sep 1 ISPS Handa Wales Open, Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales

September

5-8 Omega European Masters, Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

12-15 KLM Open, Kennemer, Zandvoort, Holland

19-22 Italian Open, venue TBA

26-29 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Scotland

October

3-6 Vivendi Seve Trophy, venue TBA

10-13 Portugal Masters, venue TBA

17-20 Perth International, Lake Karrinyup, Perth, Australia

24-27 BMW Masters, Lake Malaren, Shanghai, China

31-Nov 3 WGC-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International, Shanghai China

November

7-10 Turkish Open, Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey

14-17 DP World Tour Championship, Jumeirah Estates, Dubai