LPGA Tour closes in on replacement for ex-Commissioner Bivens

ATLANTA (AP) -- The LPGA Tour is moving closer to finding a new commissioner to replace Carolyn Bivens, with USGA Chief Business Officer Pete Bevacqua and WNBA President Donna Orender atop the short list.

Bevacqua, managing director of the U.S. Open before taking over as USGA's business officer, already has gone through part of the interview process. Orender, a former broadcast executive with the PGA Tour whose WNBA contract expires this year, was at the Samsung World Championship last week in San Diego.

Golfweek Magazine reported that Jon Podany, senior vice president of business development at the PGA Tour, and Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker, also are being considered.

All indications are that the LPGA is trying to have a new commissioner in place for its season-ending LPGA Tour Championship the week of Oct. 16 in Houston. Marty Evans, who took over when Bivens was ousted, has said she doesn't want the job.

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