News round-up: The European Tour will feature tournaments in China and Russia as part of a 44-event calendar which will feature 23 countries over almost 11 months of competition.
The Tour comes to Ireland in July with the European Open at the K Club from July 1st-4th, followed by the Irish Open, which makes its first visit to Co Louth Golf Club, Baltray, from July 22nd-25th.
And Tiger Woods returns to Mount Juliet for the American Express Championship in September.
Although the 2004 season is already under way, with Padraig Harrington winning the opening event in Hong Kong last week, most notable among the 2004 events are the Asian Open in May, which will be played in Shanghai as the Tour reaches mainland China for the first time, and the Russian Open in Moscow in August.
Three slots, in April, September and October, are still to be allocated.
The Tour does not actually reach mainland Europe until the 13th event, the Algarve Open starting on April 1th.
Missing from the list after 34 years is the Lancome Trophy in Paris, and its berth in the calendar from September 17th-19th is taken this season by the 35th edition of the Ryder Cup at Broomfield Hills, Michigan.
The British Open is at Royal Troon from July 15th-18th, the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, New York, from June 17th-20th and the US PGA at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, from August 12th-15th. The Masters will start on April 8th.
TARGET WORLD CHALLENGE: Tiger Woods embraces charity, and as such this week's Target World Challenge will benefit his own foundation, but there will be no pre-Christmas hand-outs from the newly-crowned PGA Tour Player of the Year when he goes into battle against an elite field at the Sherwood Country Club.
The world number one is red-hot favourite to succeed Padraig Harrington as winner of this invitational event and scoop the $750,000 jackpot which goes to the champion.
After beating the likes of Ernie Els and Vijay Singh to win the PGA award last weekend, Woods is on a high and hungry for more success at the end of a year which began with him on the treatment table after knee surgery.
Since returning to the tour in mid-February, Woods has won five titles and earned $4 million in prize-money. Even though he has failed to win a Major for the first time since 1998, Woods's year has been remarkable.
And there is no sign of Woods letting up, or showing any indication of winding down for the festive season.
