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Golf: LPGA Tour announces it will revise English-speaking policy for players

LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens issued a statement on Friday, saying that the tour would revise its recently announced policy regarding having its foreign players learn to speak English, or face possibly suspension.

"The LPGA has received valuable feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the recently announced penalties attached to our effective communications policy,'' Bivens said. "We have decided to rescind those penalty provisions.

"After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every Tour player. In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse Tour players to develop a better alternative. The LPGA will announce a revised approach, absent playing penalties, by the end of 2008.''

Many had voiced their opposition to the policy after it was announced, including golfers on the PGA Tour, as well as Lorena Ochoa, one of the top players on the LPGA Tour. Legal experts and civil rights activists were scheduled to speak out against the policy on Friday.

In the statement, Bivens said the tour will continue its cross-cultural program that utilizes tutors, translators, Rosetta Stone language software, and assistance from LPGA staff and consultants.

The tour includes 121 international players from 26 countries, including 45 from South Korea.

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