LPGA Tour reduces events

The 2010 LPGA Tour will consist of 24 tournaments, four fewer than this year, in 10 countries.

The season tees off in Thailand from February 18-21 and stays in Asia a week later with an event in Singapore.

"We have made great strides in our long-term goal of building an intelligent and sustainable schedule for the LPGA Tour," acting commissioner Marty Evans told a news conference on Wednesday at the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship.

"We look forward to a wonderful season finale this week and a bright future for the LPGA Tour in 2010 and beyond."

Evans is in temporary charge following the resignation of Carolyn Bivens in July. Former marketing executive Michael Whan will take over as full-time commissioner in January.

The first women's major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills, California, will be held from April 1-4.

The LPGA Championship at Pittsford, New York takes place from June 24-27 with the third major, the US Open at Oakmont, being staged from July 8-11.

The fourth and final major is the British Open at Royal Birkdale from July 29-Aug. 1.

- Reuters