European Tour sets 2014 docket; extends Race to Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (SportsNetwork.com) - The European Tour announced the full 2013-14 schedule on Sunday prior to the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, and also announced that the Race to Dubai has been extended through the 2017 season.

The 2013-14 schedule has five events before the calendar turns to 2014. Four of the five events will take place in South Africa, with the other being in Hong Kong.

Once the calendar changes to January, the first event is back in South Africa before three in a row in the Persian Gulf. Three of the next four are also in South Africa with the other event -- the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship -- being contested in the United States.

After the second World Golf Championship event, the Cadillac Championship, the tour makes a brief stop in Europe for the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. The next two events, both of which will be in Kuala Lumpur, are wrapped around the season's first major, the Masters.

Following the second Malaysia event, the Maybank Malaysian Open, the European Tour heads to Europe for a lengthy stretch. First up in that series is the Madeira Islands Open. That is the first of five events leading into the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst.

Between the U.S. and British Open, there are four events, three of which are national Opens -- the Irish Open, Open de France and Scottish Open.

The 143rd Open Championship will be contested Royal Liverpool. The Russian Open follows the years third major and a week later is the third WGC, the Bridgestone Invitational, followed by the year's final major the PGA Championship, which will be contested at Valhalla.

After the seasons final major, there are 10 straight events in Europe, including the 40th Ryder Cup matches. Those matches will be contested at Gleneagles in Scotland. Europe will look to win its third straight Ryder Cup.

The Volvo Match Play Championship moves from May to October, then there is a quick stop in Australia. Those two events are followed by the final series in the Race to Dubai.

That series keeps the same order with the BMW Masters starting October 30th, followed by the WGC - HSBC Champions, Turkish Airlines Open and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

The Race to Dubai will also increase its bonus pool from $3.5 million to $5 million.