Opinion is sought on LPGA rule

State Sen. Leland Yee said Thursday that he was seeking a legal opinion to determine whether the LPGA Tour’s language requirement for players violates state or federal law.

Yee is upset about a policy that requires players to speak English starting in 2009. The rule is effective immediately for new players, and veteran members will be suspended if they can’t pass an oral English test.

The LPGA Tour expects to have the policy written by the end of the year.

Yee, a Democrat from San Francisco, said the rule might violate California laws covering workplace discrimination or disabilities. He expects an answer from the state legislative counsel’s office within weeks, before the tour returns to California.