LET players make last-minute call on crucial LPGA merger vote

A vote that could change the landscape of women’s golf forever has been postponed at the eleventh hour. 

The LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET) have been in advanced negotiations over a groundbreaking merger that would further unify the women’s professional game.

Both boards have unanimously agreed on the proposal, which would see the two tours work closer together after an initial strategic alliance was agreed in 2019.

And LET players were expected to vote on the merger, with 60% approval required from the playing membership on the European circuit to push through the agreement.

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That vote was set to take place on Tuesday during the annual player’s meeting at the season-closing tournament in Andalucia.

But an LPGA statement has now surprisingly revealed that the vote has been delayed “based on additional information received just prior to the meeting.”

“Earlier today, LET Membership met to vote on whether to join the LPGA organisation,” an LPGA statement read.

“Recognising 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 organisations together.”

First reported by Golf Digest, the LET and LPGA would remain separate entities with different schedules if the proposed merger does go ahead, with some tournaments co-sanctioned.

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“I think we’ve been in this joint venture with the LET since 2019,” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said at last week’s CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.

“That was obviously before my time, but the goal was to be able to work together to have a collaborative women’s golf ecosystem and to build women’s golf in Europe.”

A memo that was sent to players detailing the merger proposals noted that all LET assets would be transferred into the Ladies European Golf Venture Limited (LEGV) company which is operated by the LPGA.

In return, the LPGA would offer up $1.25million-per-year to the LET to boost prize funds, while the top four players on the LET’s Order of Merit without a LPGA Tour card would earn full status on the American circuit in 2025.

The deal also states that the management of the Team Europe Solheim Cup team would also remain with the LET committee.

bunkered.co.uk have contacted the LET for comment on the merger vote postponement.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.