Golf-Indian Wells Skins game postponed due to economic downturn

LOS ANGELES, May 8 (Reuters) - The made-for-television Skins game in Indian Wells, a Thanksgiving weekend tradition since 1983, has been postponed because of the global financial crisis.

"The Skins game has enjoyed a long and successful history ... but given the current economic climate, postponing the 2009 event was necessary," IMG media executive vice president Barry Frank said in a statement on Friday.

"We look forward to working with key partners over the coming months to ensure the Skins game comes back next year in a manner befitting one of golf's great traditions."

Won last year by South Korean KJ Choi, the four-man event boasts a glittering list of former champions including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Fred Couples.

In recent years, however, it has failed to attract big-name players and Choi triumphed in November against a field including American Rocco Mediate and Canadian Stephen Ames.

This year's event had been due to take place in California on Nov. 28-29.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)