Another Tough Blow For the LPGA

The news just keeps getting worse for the LPGA.  The tour played only 27 tournaments this year, down from the 34 in 2007, as well as losing all three events in Hawaii and long-time sponsor Corning.  And now it was announced that Anheuser-Busch does not plan to renew its sponsorship of the Michelob Ultra Open, one of the tour’s marquee events, after a seven year run.  Executives at Anheuser-Busch have said that they plan to spread the wealth of sponsorship money over multiple pro golf tournaments.

Lorena Ochoa tees off at the 2009 Michelob Ultra Open. (Image: Zuma Press)

Losing the Michelob Ultra Open will be tough for fans to handle, but it may be even worse for the players themselves.  The tourney was voted the favorite by players in a 2007 poll.

With the LPGA tour losing so many sponsors the last two years, and the economy still stuck in a downward slide, it will be interesting to see if the LPGA can stay afloat, or if the tour will eventually fold.