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Coronavirus prompts LPGA to cancel upcoming China event

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The coronavirus outbreak has reportedly caused a change in the LPGA’s upcoming schedule.

The LPGA announced Thursday that the tour has canceled the Blue Bay LPGA because of health concerns. The event, scheduled for March 3-5, was to be held on China’s Hainan Island.

The LPGA tour released a statement about the cancellation that in part said, “Given the current health concerns and significant travel restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus in China, the LPGA along with our partners in China have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Blue Bay LPGA ... Any time you cancel an event, it is a difficult decision.

“The health and safety of our players, fans and everyone working on the event is always our highest priority. While we are disappointed that the tournament won’t take place this season, we look forward to going back to Blue Bay in 2021 and for many years to come.”

Global health officials have expressed “great concern” about the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, and has more than 7,000 confirmed cases worldwide.

The LPGA is off this week but returning for a two-week Australian swing beginning with next week’s ISPS Handa Vic Open. The circuit then heads to Thailand and Singapore at the end of February. With the reported cancellation of the Blue Bay, the tour would be out of action from March 1 until the Founders Cup on March 19.