DAYTONA BEACH, Florida: The LPGA Tour backed off a plan to require players to speak English or face suspensions, with LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens saying Friday that a punishment-free program would be adopted.

The LPGA, which has 45 South Koreans among its 121 non-American players, sparked fury three days earlier when news of the plan to require English by 2009 came out, some dubbing it is discrimination. World number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico was among those who spoke out against the idea of requiring players pass an oral proficiency examination or face penalties that would include suspensions.

“The LPGA has received valuable feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the recently announced penalties attached to our effective communications policy,” Bivens said. “We have decided to rescind those penalty provisions. After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every tour player. In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse tour players to develop a better alternative. The LPGA will announce a revised approach, absent playing penalties, by the end of 2008,” he added.