Andalucia Masters golf event cancelled

Next month's Andalucia Masters tournament in southern Spain has been cancelled, the European PGA Tour confirmed on Wednesday. No reason was given for the late decision to call off the event due to be played from October 18-21, which last year was won by Spain's Sergio Garcia. The local authorities in Andalucia announced on Monday that the tournament at the Valderrama Golf Club would not go ahead, and have now formally confirmed that decision to the European Tour. "The European Tour regrets to announce that the 2012 Andalucia Masters, due to be played at the Club de Golf Valderrama, Sotogrande, on October 18-21, will now be cancelled. "The Junta de Andalucia confirmed this decision by letter which they also announced by a press release on Monday September 10th. "Despite discussions with the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and a formal legal agreement with the Junta de Andalucia, the tournament will not take place." George O'Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, expressed his disappointment at the news and stressed that steps would be taken to ensure the event returns to the calendar in future years.