'09 regular season schedule released through BMW event

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR Policy Board has approved the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule through the Regular Season and the first three weeks of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

The one unresolved scheduling issue for the FedExCup competition is whether the final Playoff event, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, will immediately follow the BMW Championship or be separated by one week.

2009 TOUR schedule

Click here for the 2009 PGA TOUR schedule | PDF version

The most significant change from 2008 is the Valero Texas Open's move from the Fall Series to the week of May 11-17, taking the FedExCup slot previously held by the tournament in Atlanta, which has been discontinued.

Another change is the Buick Invitational and FBR Open switching weeks, with the FBR Open scheduled for Jan. 26-Feb. 1 and the Buick Invitational being held the following week.

"While we have a couple of late-season scheduling issues to resolve, we felt it was best to release the majority of what we believe is an outstanding schedule for 2009 that is fully sponsored," PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said following the Policy Board meeting, which was held yesterday at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Fla.

"We are very pleased to officially welcome the Valero Texas Open to the FedExCup schedule after performing exceptionally well during the Fall Series. The date change, combined with its planned move to the new TPC San Antonio in 2010, bodes extremely well for its future."

The Fall Series schedule will be announced once the dates for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola are finalized.

In regard to the FedExCup points structure for 2009, the Policy Board reviewed the framework for proposed changes at yesterday's meeting. While the proposed framework was favorably received by the Policy Board, no action was taken pending further review and discussion with sponsors, network media partners and players. The Policy Board will reconvene via teleconference, at which time final approval will be sought. Final action is expected prior to Thanksgiving.

Finchem also noted that despite the challenging economy in 2008, the PGA TOUR is expected to exceed the record $123 million that was generated by its tournaments for charity in 2007. "The tournaments and their sponsors have worked extremely hard during this difficult economic time to sustain their significant charitable contributions," Finchem said. "They are to be commended for doing such an outstanding job."