Ladies European Tour event suspended after on-course caddie death

The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour was suspended during the first round on Wednesday following the on-course death of a caddie.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, a caddie collapsed on the 13th fairway. After the on-site medical staffers attended to the situation, the caddie was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The caddie’s name was not released, but Dubai media reported the caddie was carrying for Anne-Lise Caudal.

The tournament was suspended for the day, with Round 1 resuming on Thursday. The event has been reduced to a 54-hole tournament.

“Everyone at the Ladies European Tour is extremely shocked and saddened today by this sudden death and therefore we have taken the decision to suspend first round play as a mark of respect,” said Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh. “On behalf of our membership, we offer heartfelt condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.