LPGA Harvey Penick Invitational officials said Tuesday that Kathy Ireland "would not return as title sponsor for the tournament this spring," according to Doug Smith of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, who noted the LPGA's lone TX stop "might need another 11th-hour reprieve if it is to survive." Tournament Chair Jim Lassiter, on Ireland: "She might return in some kind of affiliation, but it won't be as title sponsor. It was just a matter of it being too much of a financial commitment for her by herself without some kind of significant help." Smith: "With Ireland gone, Penick tournament officials are in the same bind as several other stops on the PGA and LPGA tours — they need to land a title sponsor that will cover most of the considerable expenses. And they must do so at a time when the economy is struggling." Lassiter said that prospective title sponsors "have expressed interest" and that he will be talking to some this week. But Smith wrote, "Time is becoming a factor, and the tournament's fate could be decided by Thanksgiving" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10/24).
