Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters Release Date, Features Announced

Golf fans won't have to wait until the summer for the next installment of Tiger Woods PGA Tour. EA Sports revealed today that Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters will hit North America on March 29th and the rest of the world on April 1st.

In a first for the series, PGA Tour 12 will let players compete at Augusta National and relive several historic occasions from the Masters Tournament. EA clearly views this as the biggest selling point; the cover of the game shows Augusta National rather than Tiger and "Masters" is the biggest word in the title.

Still, Tiger is a big part of the game. PGA Tour 12 allows players to experience his four wins at the Tournament. They'll also get a chance to beat his scores in each round.

PGA Tour 12 is being developed for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. The PS3 will also get an exclusive Collector's Edition, priced at $69.99. The CE includes five exclusive courses. Both the Standard and Collector's Edition for the PS3 will feature Move support. Here's the full list of features for all versions:

• Masters Moments – Play through memorable, historic moments as players try to measure up against some of the sport’s greatest legends.
• Tiger at the Masters – Relive each of Tiger’s four wins at the Masters by attempting to equal or beat his scores in each round of the Tournament.
• The Caddie Experience – Behind every great golfer is a trusted and reliable caddie. Players will have a caddie by their side on every swing, providing strategic advice, from shot selection to reading greens, helping them become a more successful golfer.
• The Closest Thing to Being There – For the first time ever, EA SPORTS™ utilized a new state-of-the art laser scanning technology at Augusta National Golf Club to laser scan every hole featured in the game. This will provide players with the most authentic digital representation of the Tournament and Par 3 courses. Every tree, every azalea and every undulation in every green was recreated down to the smallest detail.
• Broadcast Presentation – Feel the emotion of every swing as called by the all-new commentary team of Jim Nantz and David Feherty, who headline a completely revamped TV broadcast presentation package.
• Career Mode – The all-new career mode will closely mirror the journey of an amateur golfer’s rise through the ranks and chase the title of Masters champion.
• New Players – Over 20 professional golfers to choose from, including Zach Johnson (2007 Masters Champion) and Bubba Watson (2010 Ryder Cup – Team USA).
• Championship Courses – Take on the best of the best on sixteen of the world’s most celebrated courses, including Augusta National Golf Club, Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Australia), Atlanta Athletic Club, TPC San Antonio, St Andrews Links and Pebble Beach Golf Links.