LPGA loses Japan event to COVID-19 pandemic

The Toto Japan Classic, scheduled for November 4-7, is no longer part of the LPGA Tour schedule because of pandemic, leaving only one tournament as part of the tour's Asian swing in the fall.

The Toto Japan Classic, scheduled for November 4-7, is no longer part of the LPGA Tour schedule because of pandemic, leaving only one tournament as part of the tour's Asian swing in the fall. (Representative Image)

The Toto Japan Classic is no longer part of the LPGA Tour schedule because of COVID-19 pandemic, leaving only one tournament as part of the tour's Asian swing in the fall.

The Toto Japan Classic was scheduled for November 4-7.

The LPGA Tour now has only four tournaments left in the season, starting this week at the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey. The BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea will be October 21-24. After a two-break, the tour wraps up with back-to-back events in Florida concluding with the CME Group Tour Championship.

LPGA Media Alert: 2021 TOTO Japan Classic Removed from @LPGA Tour Schedule pic.twitter.com/T2AC00DKLN

— LPGA Media (@LPGAMedia) October 5, 2021

 

The tour previously lost tournaments in Shanghai and Taiwan.

The LPGA Tour cited “continuing health concerns and significant travel restrictions” caused by the pandemic for the Japan tournament no longer being on its schedule. It was still listed on the Japan LPGA Tour website on Monday night.

The PGA Tour is still going to Japan in three weeks for the Zozo Championship, with commitments from Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele, British Open champion Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler.

The LPGA Tour said it expects to have the Toto Japan Classic on next year's schedule.