Blasberg death leaves LPGA Tour stunned

ERICA Blasberg, who played on the same Curtis Cup team as Michelle Wie at Formby in 2004 and was a popular player on the LPGA Tour for the past five years, has been found dead at her home in a Las Vegas suburb.

Police rushed to the house after receiving a 911 call at 3pm on Sunday and are now investigating the 25-year-old American's death. It was not immediately clear whether foul play was involved. Blasberg's agent, Chase Callahan, confirmed her death but declined to provide details because of the investigation.

Blasberg won six times in two years at the University of Arizona before turning professional in 2004. Her best year on Tour was 2008, when she earned a career-best tie for eighth at the SBS Open in Hawaii and over $113,000 in winnings.

She played her only LPGA Tour event this year two weeks ago in Mexico and tied for 44th.

LPGA spokesman David Higdon said: "She was a very popular player and well-liked and we're going to miss her. This is a very close-knit group of players and Tour and we're saddened by what happened."

LPGA player Meg Mallon added: "I'm very sad and just really kind of sick to my stomach that a life ended so young."