Three new events on 2011 schedule for LPGA Tour

The 2011 LPGA Tour will feature 25 tournaments, one more than last year, in 12 countries, Commissioner Michael Whan has revealed.

The season tees off in Thailand from 17-20 February and will end with the 17-20 November Titleholders tournament in Orlando, Florida. New events will be staged in the United States, Taiwan and China, including a tournament in Arizona where the players will forgo prize-money to support the LPGA Foundation.

"We're pleased that golf's global tour was able to withstand the economic downturn by securing 23 of its existing 24 events from 2010," Whan said in a statement. "At the same time, we're thrilled to add new ideas and new tournaments in the United States, Taiwan and China."

The first women's major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage, California, will be held from 31 March-3 April. The LPGA Championship at Pittsford, New York, takes place from 23-26 June with the US Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs being staged from 7-10 July. The fourth and final major is the British Open at Carnoustie from 28-31 July.

Among the new events on the schedule is the 18-20 March RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, which will be at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, where the players will receive no prize money. Instead the tournament purse will go to the LPGA Foundation.