Daytona Beach, FL (Sports Network) - The LPGA announced on Wednesday that the Women's Australian Open will be part of the 2012 schedule.
The tournament will be contested February 9-12 at Royal Melbourne, which is slated to host the Presidents Cup next month.
The Women's Australian Open will be part of a Pacific rim swing that will have the tour traveling to Thailand and Singapore.
"All credit goes to Golf Australia for their consistent vision to bring the LPGA Tour to Australia," said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. "The LPGA is delighted to partner with Golf Australia to showcase some of the greatest golfers in the world in one of the greatest locations in world and at one of the most respected golf venues in the world - Royal Melbourne. The ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open works perfectly for our 2012 LPGA Tour schedule as Australia will lead right into the Honda LPGA Thailand and HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore."
This will mark the first time this event will be part of the LPGA Tour's schedule. The Australian Ladies Masters was co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour from 1997-2000.