LPGA Commish Bivens Calling it Quits

According to a source close to the situation, Carolyn Bivens, the much embattled commissioner of the LPGA, has decided to resign rather than square off against the LPGA Board of Directors to try and keep her current position.  The news comes less than a week after revelations that a number of LPGA players, including U.S. Women’s Open leader Cristie Kerr, presented a letter to Bivens calling for her resignation.

Cristie Kerr (Image: Zuma Press)

Since Bivens took over as LPGA commissioner in 2005, the tour has lost seven events, and others are questionable due to the weakened economy.  Her contract was set to expire in 2010, and there are reports that Bivens would accept a buyout.  Her current salary is $500,000 a year.

Several big names are being mentioned as possible successors to Bivens, including WNBA commissioner Donna Orender, president of Nike Golf Cindy Davis, and retired Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez.

While the ladies are teeing off at the U.S. Women’s Open in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Bivens has been conspicuously absent, and requests for comment have gone unanswered.