The 2020 Senior LPGA Championship, which was scheduled for July 30-Aug. 1 at French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind., has become the latest major championship to be canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic, tournament organizers announced on Friday.
The tournament is one of two senior women’s major championships and the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, which was scheduled for June 25-28 at Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I., also has been canceled.
“Canceling any golf event is a difficult and painful decision. We are extremely thankful for the support and flexibility from French Lick Resort and the Legends Tour during this trying time,” LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan said in a statement.
“Importantly, all of us are committed to this important senior women’s tradition, and we cannot wait to watch the women legends of the game tee it up once again in 2021.”
Helen Alfredsson of Sweden (pictured), who played at U.S. International University in San Diego, won the Senior LPGA Championship last year by three strokes over Juli Inkster of Los Altos Hills and San Jose State.
Alfredsson, who won the 1993 Nabisco Dinah Shore, the 1990 Women’s British Open and the Evian Championship three times while playing on the LPGA Tour, also captured the U.S. Senior Open earlier last year to join Laura Davies of England (2018) as the only players to complete the two-event Women’s Senior Gland Slam.
“These legendary players deserve nothing less than a first-class Championship, and with the current circumstances, our first and foremost concern is for the safety and well-being of the players, the sponsors, the spectators and our staff,” said Dave Harner, Director of Golf Operations at French Lick Resort.
“It has become more and more evident that we would not be able to conduct the event to its usual and deserved standard, therefore, we feel canceling is the best decision. We look forward to 2021 with an even bigger and better fourth Senior LPGA Championship.”
Both tournaments are scheduled to return in 2021.
