Golf-International removed from PGA Tour schedule

PEBBLE BEACH, California, Feb 8 (Reuters) The International, a PGA Tour event since 1986 which uniquely used a modified Stableford scoring system, has been removed from the tournament schedule.

The International ''will no longer remain as part of the PGA Tour schedule, effective immediately,'' the Tour said in a statement yesterday.

No further details were immediately available from officials at this week's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am but the search for a title sponsor is believed to have been the main problem.

''We have no comment at the moment and will send out a communication at the appropriate time,'' said a tournament spokeswoman.

Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and tournament founder Jack Vickers will hold a teleconference on Thursday, the Tour said.

The International, staged at one of the PGA Tour's most beautiful venues, was scheduled to be held at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, for the 22nd time from July 5-8.

Dean Wilson won last year's tournament after edging out fellow American Tom Lehman at the second extra hole.

Greg Norman, Davis Love III (twice), Jose Maria Olazabal, Phil Mickelson (twice), Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen were among previous winners of the event.

REUTERS PM VV0913