Citing new info, LET players postpone vote on merger with LPGA

A potentially historic vote on the possible merger of the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour did not take place as expected on Tuesday.

The LPGA issued a statement that read: “Earlier today, LET Membership met to vote on whether to join the LPGA organization. Recognizing the significance of this decision to its stakeholders, based on additional information received just prior to the meeting, the LET Board decided to adjourn today’s meeting and postpone the planned vote. The LPGA Board is supportive of this decision and remains enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring our two organizations together.”

The key phrase in the statement was “based on additional information received” before the meeting, but it has not been made clear what that information was.

It was last week at the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship that LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan confirmed in her state-of-the-tour address that the LET would vote on the potential merge during this week's annual player meeting ahead of the LET’s season finale in Spain. The joining together of the two tours already was unanimously approved by the LPGA and LET boards. A merger would require 60-percent approval from the entire LET membership.

According to previous reports about the merger, the tours would function similar to now, with the LET retaining its name and tournament schedule separately from the LPGA, while co-sanctioning some events. But the two entities would also oversee the LET and work to develop revenue opportunities for both tours.