Cosmetics group Lancome has withdrawn its sponsorship from one of Europe's
most prestigious golf tournaments.
A spokesman for parent company L'Oreal said: "The dramatic events of last
week in the United States has led Lancome to pull out of the golf tournament which
carries its name."
Tournament organisers believed they had pulled off a coup by attracting Tiger
Woods for a reputed $2m appearance fee to appear at St-Nom-la-Breteche, near Paris.
But Woods withdrew from the event in the wake of the US terror attacks and
no other Americans are expected to take part.
Most top European players have been idle for the last 10 days and are likely
to play in the Paris tournament.
Tournament organisers IMG announced that the event would go ahead as planned
from Thursday until Sunday despite Lancome's decision.
The Lancome Trophy has been a fixture on the golfing calendar for the last
31 years, starting as an invitation event and growing to become one of the top
tournaments on the European PGA calendar.
With Lancome asking that the company's name not be used, it is uncertain what
the tournament will now be called.
