Indian Masters dropped from 2009 schedule

(CNN) -- The 2009 Indian Masters in New Delhi has been dropped from the European Tour calendar after becoming another victim of the global economic crisis.

The tournament, which was co-santioned with the Asian Tour, was scheduled to take place from February 5-8 at the Delhi Golf Club.

"We have done everything possible to ensure that the second edition of the Indian Masters was played in 2009," said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, the vice chairman and chief executive of organizers 'golf in Dubai'.

"But with this tournament we considered that the current economic uncertainty coupled to security concerns made it impossible for us to present the tournament in the manner that we would wish to for world class golfers.

"The tournament, the first on The European Tour to be played in India, provided the home players an opportunity to hone their competitive skills in the company of some of the world's finest players and we are confident we will achieve this again in 2010."

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said: "We share with 'golf in Dubai' their disappointment that the Indian Masters will not be played in 2009.

"But we understand the economic challenges they face with title sponsorship and we are optimistic the event, which was such a success when first played in 2008, will return to the schedule in 2010 co-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India."