Alisports LPGA Event In Shanghai Canceled For This Year

In-Kyung Kim

Tournament Is Removed From 2017 LPGA Tour Schedule Due To Local Permitting Problems. The Tournament Was Won Last Year By In-Kyung Kim. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — The Alisports LPGA event scheduled to be played in Shanghai early next month has been removed from this year's Tour schedule due to local permitting problems in China, the LPGA announced.

"It is with deep regret that I need to announce that we will not be playing the event in Shanghai this year," LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we have just received word that the tournament was unsuccessful in obtaining approval from the local district government. 

"The hardest part about this news is that we have a title sponsor, a tournament operator, a TV production group and a host venue all set to go. However, in China, sporting events of this nature cannot take place without approvals at multiple levels -- and the local approval was denied.

"This news is very disappointing, particularly in that it comes less than a month before the event was scheduled to take place. But given the strong sponsorship and desire to host the LPGA, we look forward to returning in 2018."

The tournament, won last year by seven-time LPGA winner In-Kyung Kim, had been scheduled to be played in Shanghai from October 5-8.