LPGA scraps English-only policy

The LPGA Tour has backed down on its stance that would have required players to speak English in 2009 or face penalties.

LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens made the announcement on Friday after the new policy had come under scrutiny.

"After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing business opportunities for every player," Bivens said.

"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."

The new language rule was set to become effective immediately for new players, while veteran members were going to be suspended if they were unable to pass an oral English test in 2009.

Leland Lee, a state senator from California, had recently questioned if the language policy violated state or federal law in the United States.

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