The Golf News Net

Today, the Duramed Futures Tour - the LPGA's developmental tour - confirmed the basics of its 2009 schedule in advance of a full announcement of the schedule in the new year.

The Tour confirmed 16 events on the schedule, offering a total purse of $1.7 million.  14 events on the schedule will offer purses over $100,000.  Three events feature purses over $125,000.  The average purse for the Tour has increased by approximately $10,000 per event.

The news is not all great for the DFT.  If the schedule remains unchanged into the new year, there are two fewer events on the schedule this year.  This result would be comparable to the net loss of three events on the 2009 LPGA Tour schedule.  The Tour also would feature approximately $45,000 less in total prize money, representing a drop of 2.5% in prize money. 

Both of these losses - on a percentage basis - are less than those suffered by the LPGA Tour.

The Tour introduces five new stops next year. The full schedule is available here.