Featured Golf News
2009 LPGA Tour Schedule Will Have Fewer Tournaments
Ladies Professional Golf Association Commissioner (LPGA) Carolyn F. Bivens has announced that the 2009 schedule will have 31 events - 20 in the U.S. and 11 internationally. The total number of tournaments - which doesn't include the biennial Solheim Cup - is three less than 2008, all because of the loss of sponsors. Total prize money will also dip by about $5 million.
"Given the current state of the global economy, we view today's release of our 2009 Tour schedule as a barometer of the stability, appeal and value of our players and property," said Bivens.
"Each and every year, the LPGA schedule evolves with a natural ebb and flow of events, but like many businesses and individuals, the state of the global economy and the economic crisis we are all facing has resulted in a slightly different tournament landscape for 2009. With 31 events in 10 countries, we remain focused on providing market-based playing opportunities for our members, as well as providing fans with a great entertainment experience across the schedule."
Several unofficial money events are expected to be revealed by the end of the year. The announcement was made during a press conference at the season-ending ADT Championship at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The official money portion of the LPGA Tour schedule released today includes:
* 31 events in 10 countries
* Official prize money of nearly $55 million;
* Average prize money of $1.767 million;
* The Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., where the Americans will be looking to keep their untarnished home record intact against the Europeans in this biennial, team match-play competition;
* The CN Canadian Women's Open with a $2.75 million purse, $500,000 more than in 2008;
* The Stanford Financial Tour Championship in Houston will feature a $2 million purse and conclude the 2009 season;
* A return to Thailand for the Honda LPGA Thailand after a deliberate one-year hiatus in order to create a geographic flow in early 2009 where it will partner up with the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore.
"It's no secret that the road ahead, particularly 2009, is going to test our mettle," Bivens said. She added that the LPGA Tour is not only coping with the same financial challenges facing "other sports and entertainment organizations, but by ever business enterprise of any kind in all corners around the world."
