Golf Tournaments Postponed

In the wake of terrorist attacks, the PGA and LPGA golf tours are expected to defer their schedules.

The PGA announced yesterday that the American Express Championship would begin on 15, Friday. Accordingly, the tournament is rescheduled to play 36 holes on tap for Friday and 18 each for Saturday and Sunday. But the schedule can be readjusted with the changes of the affair.

Especially, 46 out of 66 participants were unable to make it St. Louis so far due to the airport closedown, and thus the tournament may become the small-scale competition. Davis Love III is still in Atlanta, Jesper Parnevik is in New York, the PGA championship winner David Toms could not get out of Louisiana. Lefty Phil Mickelson gave up to participate in the tournament and returned home by a rent car. Moreover, since the tournament granted only top-50 players and top-level prize winners of the world`s 6 tournaments to participate, not many players are likely to play in this week.

Tiger Woods said quietly,``I was greatly shocked. This is a sad, sad day in America.`` He arrived at the St. Louis pretty early, and walked the practice round.

And the Tampa Bay Classic delayed its opening to the next day, and scheduled to play the 3rd and 4th rounds on 17th. Choi Kyung-Joo currently stays home in Houston because he did not plan to participate in this tournament.

The LPGA also shifted the schedule of the Safeway Classic. The junior clinic for yesterday has been cancelled, and pro-am tournament was delayed to next day. The Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Oregon, was available for practice rounds on Wednesday, but nobody showed up.

This three-round tournament will be open on 14th as scheduled, but the schedule may be changed according to the situation. 122 players among 144 participants arrived at the tournament, and they decided to put black ribbons during the tournament.

If the domestic airlines continue to be cancelled, the crippled operation of the PGA and LPGA tours may be prolonged.

Kim Jong-Seok kjs0123@donga.com