Euro Tour cancels Indian Masters

Shiv Chowrasia will not get a chance to defend the title he won in 2008

The Indian Masters has been cancelled on financial and security grounds, the chief executive of the tournament's promoters has said.

The European Tour event was due to be staged at the Delhi Golf Club in February but now follows this month's women's event in being cancelled.

"It made it impossible to present the tournament in the manner we would wish," said Mohamed Juma Buamaim.

European Tour chief George O'Grady said he hoped it would return in 2010.

"We share with the promoters' disappointment that the Indian Masters will not be played in 2009," he said.

"We understand, however, the economic challenges they face with title sponsorship."

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This year's inaugural Indian Masters, which attracted the likes of Ernie Els and Darren Clarke, was won by Shiv Chowrasia.

The women's European Tour and the LPGA in America have already trimmed their schedule and cancelled events because of the current economic situation.