Samsung, the namesake of the LPGA
Tour's Samsung World Championship since 1995, is out as the tournament's title
sponsor.
The news was first announced by Golf Channel and the Sports Business Journal.
Acting LPGA Tour commissioner Marty Evans told the tour in a memo that "all
indications during the tournament week were to the contrary."
IMG Golf, which has operated the tournament since 1980, will begin searching
for a new title sponsor immediately despite not having contract with the LPGA
to run the event in 2010.
Na Yeon Choi defeated Ai Miyazato by a single stroke at this year's Samsung
World Championship, which was played for the first time on the South Course at
Torrey Pines.
The announcement came a day after State Farm renewed its contract for the LPGA
State Farm Classic for two more years.
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