The New Zealand Women's Golf Open has suffered a hefty setback after it was announced today the tournament won't return to the LPGA tour next year as planned.
The tournament has lost its key naming rights sponsor McKayson and organisers are now aiming to have it back on the schedule in 2020.
"The 2017 New Zealand Women’s Open was a historic occasion for golf in New Zealand," said New Zealand Golf CEO, Dean Murphy.
"Bringing the LPGA Tour to New Zealand is a huge undertaking which requires significant commercial support from tournament sponsors.
"While the 2017 event was an unqualified success, we need to make prudent and financially sensible decisions for future events."
1 NEWS understands organisers are less than impressed with the apparel manufacturer who backed the inaugural event last year.
It had been hoped the New Zealand Open would be moved to early in the season, but it's believed every element will be looked at as they plan to bring it back.
The LPGA said that New Zealand proved a popular country for LPGA Tour players to visit for the inaugural event in Auckland in 2017.
"Having an event back in New Zealand would also provide a perfect opportunity for the LPGA to showcase the depth of talent on the tour as well as the beauty of New Zealand via the global television coverage," said Ricki Lasky, LPGA Senior Vice President of Tournament Business Affairs.
Canadian Brooke Henderson won last year's tournament.
SHARE ME