Sponsorship issues force LPGA to cut 3 events

The LPGA Tour is expected to announce it will drop two to three events and $4 million to $5 million in prize money from its 2009 schedule amid the nation's economic downturn, the New York Times reported Wednesday. LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens said events that will be taken off next year's schedule include the $1.8 million SemGroup Championship and the $2.6 million Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam.