by Elizabeth Fearon

Created on: November 23, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

The 2010 PGA TOUR swings into action on 4th January in Hawaii. Last year's Tour winners are eligible to participate in the opening SBS Championship. The Plantation on the Kapalua Resort is a traditional links course (par 73, 7411 yds) offering sweeping vistas from mountains to ocean on the North West shore of Maui. 2010 sees a new sponsor as SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) takes over from Mercedes Benz, pledging its support for the next ten years. The reigning champion is the Australian, Geoff Ogilvy.

On 11th January more than 140 players move to the Waialae Country Club on Oahu, host of the Sony Open, despite the par 70 course shrinking in size from 7234 yards to 7068! The manicured course is flanked by lush, established vegetation with the added bonus of the eighth hole running parallel to the Pacific Ocean. American, Zach Johnson was last year's winner, guaranteeing him entry to both the SBS and Sony championships in 2010.

18th January sees the Tour in Palm Desert, California at La Quinta Country Club (par 72, 7121 yds) for the Bob Hope Classic, the only stroke play event on the Tour over 5 rounds on 4 courses, won last year by American, Pat Perez. Set amidst lakes and flowers, the course has seen more than one President of the United States grace its fairways, as well as a legion of celebrities through the years. The performances by Arnold Palmer in this legendary competition ensured his status in the record books down the decades.

On 25th January the Tour transfers to the Oceanside cliffs of Torrey Pines, La Jolla (par 72, 7643 yds) with the Century Club of San Diego Invitational, won last year by America's Nick Watney, halting Tiger Woods' success over 4 consecutive years - 6 wins in total!

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