LPGA aims 2nd event in China, raising purses to $63 mln

LPGA officials are aiming for a second event in China as the purses on the Tour will rise by 4 million dollars in 2016. 

   The tour released next year's schedule on Friday, with 18 of the 33 official events held in the United States. Purse money will rise from 59.1 million to 63.1 million dollars, a tournament has been added in Michigan and the LPGA will take a three-week break to accommodate the return of golf to the Olympics in August. 

   China was expected to host two events in 2015, though one was cancelled about two weeks before the start. The LPGA plans to return for an event that ends Oct. 2. LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said he's confident the second tournament, which is still listed as TBD on the schedule, will come together as planned.  

   In 2011, the LPGA had 23 official events and 40.5 million dollars in purse money with 220 hours of television coverage. The TV hours will increase again to about 410 next year. 

   The LPGA also announced Friday a partnership with the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin for a tournament that will start in 2017 and offer a 2 million dollars purse.  

   The 2016 schedule starts with five tournaments in five countries, matching the layout of the past two years. The season begins in the Bahamas in late January, and the first event in the U.S. is the Coates Golf Championship at Ocala, Florida. It ends Saturday, Feb. 6, and won't conflict with Super Bowl the next day in Santa Clara, California.  

   The five majors are the ANA Inspiration ending April 3, the Women's PGA Championship ending June 12, the U.S. Women's Open ending July 10, the Women's British Open ending July 31, and The Evian Championship ending Sept. 18. The Olympic field will be set the day after the Women's Open. Endi