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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The LPGA Tour will offer three fewer official events in 2009, the latest result of the global economic downturn and its affect on pro sports.

The 2009 schedule released Wednesday has 31 events -- 20 in the United States and 11 internationally -- not including the Solheim Cup. Tournaments off the schedule include the ADT Championship, which starts Thursday and closes this year's slate.

Purses will be about $55 million, about $5.25 million less than in 2008. The tour announced $53.4 million in purses Wednesday; the Ginn Open in Reunion, Fla., which had a $2.6 million prize pool this year, has not yet determined what it will pay out in 2009.

MADRID, Spain -- Golf great Seve Ballesteros was released from intensive care Tuesday following brain surgery on a malignant tumor.

The 51-year-old Spaniard will remain in the hospital to continue rehabilitation following three operations in 18 days. Madrid's La Paz hospital said the healing process is slow and there was no timetable for his release. Restricted visits are being allowed for the first time.

AP PhotoPresident George W. Bush, center, stands with captain Paul Azinger and the members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in the Oval Office.

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush celebrated Monday with American golfers who reclaimed the Ryder Cup for the U.S.

Bush held a private picture-taking session in the Oval Office with coach Paul Azinger and seven members of the 12-member 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team, which ended an era of frustration in September with a resounding victory over Europe.

AP PhotoSergio Garcia defeated Oliver Wilson on the second playoff hole to win the rain-delayed HSBC Champions.

SHANGHAI, China -- Sergio Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods, beating Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday.

The Spanish star made a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th -- the only hole used for the playoff at Sheshan Golf Club -- after the Englishman missed a 10-footer.

Garcia won The Players Championship and his home-course Castellon Masters, and also has finished second or tied for second in three events this season. One was the PGA Championship -- one of the four majors.

AP PhotoHenrik Stenson, left, and Sergio Garcia chat on the fourth green.

SHANGHAI, China -- The rain-delayed HSBC Champions tournament will finish Monday, which is just fine with Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

Ogilvy's 7-under 65 in Saturday's second round -- the best of the day -- put him a stroke behind co-leaders Sergio Garcia (68) and Henrik Stenson (69).

Ogilvy should have shared the lead. After a 12-foot chip-in for birdie on 15, he had a 3-foot putt for another on 16 to reach 10-under -- but it lipped out. That stopped his momentum, with pars on the final two holes.

AP PhotoHenrik Stenson watches his tee shot on the third hole during the first round.

SHANGHAI, China -- Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions.

The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game's top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, defending champion Phil Mickelson and Australia's Adam Scott.

Garcia nearly tied for the lead, but the Spaniard missed a four-foot eagle putt on the 18th. "Unfortunately, my putting stroke didn't feel as good as it's been feeling lately," Garcia said. "Maybe it's the jet-lag or something."

Andy Matthews

Andy Matthews is moving on to the next stage of PGA Tour qualifying, but Matt Harmon will have to start working toward his next attempt.

The two Grand Rapids area golfers were just three shots apart in the recent first stage of play in PGA Tour qualifying in Durham, N.C.

Matthews, who has played the Canadian Tour and Asian Tour in recent years, is in his fifth attempt to earn his PGA Tour playing card.

AP PhotoRyan Palmer shows off the trophy for winning the Ginn sur Mer Classic on Sunday.

PALM COAST, Fla. -- Ryan Palmer made a 10-foot birdie on the 18th hole Sunday to break out of a six-way tie for the lead and win the Ginn sur Mer Classic, earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Palmer, who was at No. 143 on the money list with two tournaments remaining, had to call a penalty on himself and made bogey on the 10th hole, then took double bogey on the next hole with a tee shot into the water.

But he rebounded with a birdie he desperately needed on the final hole at Ginn Ocean Hammock Resort for his second career victory.

AP PhotoDavid Duval lines up a putt on the 14th green.

PALM COAST, Fla. -- David Duval hasn't played in the windy, wet conditions since the British Open this summer. Just like then, he managed to work himself into contention at the Ginn sur Merr Classic on Friday.

Winless in seven years, laboring at No. 233 on the money list and playing his final PGA Tour event of the year, Duval put together a strong round of 3-under 69 at the Ginn Ocean Hammock Resort that left him only two shots behind Ryan Palmer going into the weekend.

Palmer missed only one green on the back nine for a 71, putting him at 6-under 138.

WINSTON-SALEM N.C. -- Golfer John Daly was taken into custody Sunday morning by Winston-Salem police after he was found drunk outside an area Hooters restaurant.

Police said in a statement Wednesday that said officers went to the restaurant on a medical call. When they arrived, Daly was being treated by emergency workers after losing consciousness.