European Tour dumps British Masters

LONDON, May 14 (UPI) -- The Austrian Open will replace the British Masters on a revised 2009 European Golf Tour schedule announced Thursday.

The British Masters, originally scheduled for Sept. 17-20, was eliminated after a sponsor could not be found.

The event had been played each year since1946, making it one of the tour's oldest events. Tour officials said they hoped it would return to to next season's schedule.

The Austrian Open at Vienna has been moved from June to Sept. 24-27 and the Vivendi Trophy in Paris will be played the following week.

The Madrid Masters remains on Oct. 8-11, with details on a venue and prize to be announced at a later date.