HOUSTON, Texas, US - The LPGA's struggles to hang onto sponsors was reflected in the schedule for next season as the women's pro golf tour has reduced its number of tournaments to 24 from 27.

The Tour which begins February 18 at the Honda tournament in Thailand and then travels to Singapore for the second tournament of the year.

'This is the schedule as of today,' said interim commissioner Marty Evans.

Evans said the new schedule comprises tournaments already under contract and others that are 'very, very close' to being signed.

The tour is in the Houston area for this week's season-ending LPGA Tour Championship.

Next season also marks the first season that new commissioner Michael Whan will be in charge from the outset. He was named in October and replaces outgoing Carolyn Bivens.

The tour will not begin in the United States until a month after its start when the LPGA Classic takes place in Carlsbad, California.

The first major of the season the Kraft Nabisco Championship is set for April 1-4 at Mission Hills.

The second major of the year is the LPGA Championship June 24-27 at Locust Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

The U.S. Women's Open will be played July 8-11 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania and the Women's British Open will be held at Royal Birkdale in South Port, England, beginning July 29.

The schedule ends with the LPGA Tour Championship on November 18-21.

The tour is still trying to find a date for next year's LPGA event in South Korea.