The LPGA Tour and event organizers on Friday cancelled the Michigan Tournament, which was scheduled to be the first LPGA event on the COVID-19 altered schedule.
The LPGA announced today that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the @MeijerLPGA will not be held in October 2020. The tournament will return to the Tour schedule in 2021.
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 20, 2020
Additionally, the @ShopRiteLPGA postponed from its May date, has been rescheduled for Oct. 2-4.
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LPGA commissioner Mike Whan commented, “As I’ve said since this pandemic started, while we will do all we can to play safely in 2020, the most important thing is to ensure the long-term health of our Tour”.
He added “We are very thankful to the team at Dow for their ongoing and extended support. The 2019 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational was an incredible addition to our schedule, and I’m excited to see what they bring to the table in 2021”.
The Dow Great Bay Invitational will not be held until 2021. The Midland, Michigan event was named LPGA Tournament of the Year last season.
Commissioner Whan made it clear that the next event on the schedule is not guaranteed. However, announcements regarding the status of the future event would be made available to the public.
“The decision by Dow and the LPGA to cancel was certainly not easy,” Dow Chairman and CEO, Jim Fitterling stated in a press release. “We explored all available options and the LPGA has been working with us every step of the way. We are convinced that moving toward planning an incredible tournament in 2021 is the right decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved”.
Michigan will still host an LPGA event in 2020. The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club in Rockford was moved to Oct. 1-4 from its original June date.
See a preview of the schedule below and read the latest statement from the LPGA HERE.
Preview of the Updated LPGA Tour Events
July 23-26 Marathon Classic presented by Dana
July 31-August 2 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer
August 13-16 The Evain Championship
August 20-23 AIG Women’s British Open
August 28-30 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G
September 3-6 CP Women’s Open
July 23-26 ANA Inspiration
September 17-20 Cambia Portland Classic
September 24-27 Kia Classic
October 1-4 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
October 8-11 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
October 15-18 Buick LPGA Shanghai
October 22-25 BMW Ladies Championship
October 29-1 Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA
November 6-8 TOTO Japan Classic
November 19-22 Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging
December 3-6 Volunteers of America Classic
December 10-13 U.S. Women’s Open
December 17-20 CME Group Tour Championship and will be the final event.
Also Read: PGA TOUR proposal & procedures for return to golf