The first stop on the LPGA's Asian Swing, the Reignwood LPGA Classic, has been postponed and will likely not be played in 2015.

In a statement released by the LPGA Tour, it was announced that the event will not take place on it's usual October 1-4 date, but that the decision "does not impact the long-term future of the event with an extension of the agreement now being finalized for two more years beginning in 2016."

While we’re certainly disappointed that we will not be in Beijing this Fall, we’re excited that Reignwood is committed to this wonderful international Reignwood LPGA Classic event for two more years,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.

The decision to change the date was likely not the LPGA Tour's, but rather Reignwood's. It is possible that they did not like being the very first date on the fall's Asian Swing, a six tournament, five country stretch at the end of the LPGA schedule. More likely, however, is that Reignwood did not like being the first event after the Solheim Cup, which takes place in September in Germany this year. Reignwood has not released a statement.

This is the problem with leagues and Tours that generate less money than the more popular leagues - sponsors generally get to dictate their own terms and conditions knowing that the Tour is in need of sponsors and tournaments. Strong arm negotiating is the reason why the Evian Masters is now a major - the main title sponsor, Evian, threatened to leave their sponsorship if they were not elevated to major status. While the renewal of Reignwood as a sponsor is good news for the LPGA Tour, the fact that they can cancel a tournament two months prior to the event because of sponsorship issues is troubling. 

The LPGA Tour has the distinct advantage of being the only major golf tour that has a golf tournament in China's capital city, Beijing. Every other Tour that travels to China either plays at Mission Hills or Shanghai.

In a strange side note to this story, defending champion Mirim Lee will not be defending any titles this season. She won twice on the LPGA Tour last year, but had to withdraw from this weeks Meijer Classic due to injury. 

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