The LPGA Tour will drop four events for its 2009 schedule, according to commissioner Carolyn Bivens.
Speaking at the ADT Championship in Florida this week, Ms Bivens also revealed that the Tour''s official prize money will be reduced to $55 million (£37 million) – down from "a little more" than $60 million this year.
She said that the economic downturn had created a "slightly different tournament landscape for 2009".
Ms Bivens commented: "Given the state of the global economy, we view today''s release of the 2009 schedule as a barometer of stability, appeal, and value for our players and our property."
The ADT Championship is one of the four events removed from the 2009 LPGA Tour schedule, which will begin with the SBS Open in Hawaii in February.
Due to sponsorship issues, the Fields Open, Ginn Tribute and Safeway International have also been dropped.
Australian player Katherine Hull currently leads the ADT Championship, shooting a four-under-par 68 in her first round on Thursday (November 20th).
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