The LPGA and the Ladies European Tour have "renewed talks that could lead to 'a true partnership' between the two organizations," according to Randall Mell of GOLFCHANNEL.com. LET Board Chair Marta Figueras-Dotti this week sent a letter to tour members detailing the discussions, writing that a "dialogue was 'in full swing' to create a '50-50 joint venture' between the tours." Officials from both tours are "working to complete terms of a new agreement in time to present it to LET players at their annual meeting on Nov. 26 in Spain." The latest negotiations, which began last month at the Solheim Cup, come after talks were held in '16 "about the possibility of the LPGA taking control of the struggling LET." The LPGA was looking for an "ownership stake that could also have involved a partnership with the European Tour and the R&A." Those talks ended last year with the LET "deciding it would continue to try to rebuild on its own." The LET over the last few years has been dealing with tournaments and sponsorships "falling away" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 10/16). THE GUARDIAN's Ewan Murray noted the LPGA "wants to set up a formal link to its core tour by way of access from Europe," while European players "would have access to the riches of the LPGA Tour as an early and legitimate career aspiration" (GUARDIAN, 10/16).
