Father: LPGA player's death 'very, very strange'

The father of 25-year-old U.S. golf player Erica Blasberg, who was found dead in her Nevada home Sunday, said his daughter's death is "very, very strange," The Press-Enterprise reported Monday.

"At first glance it looks like she might have taken her own life, but at second glance, something is very, very strange about it," Mel Blasberg said.

"We're waiting for the police to make an investigation, it's a pending investigation.

"Either way, I lost her and it's impossible to deal with."

No cause of death was disclosed due to the pending police inquiry, FOX Sports reported, citing a spokeswoman for the Clark County Coroner's Office.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) confirmed Blasberg's death in a release on Monday.

In her only start this season, Blasberg tied for 44th two weeks ago at the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico.

Her agent Chase Callahan said that he was devastated to learn of the passing of Blasberg, Sports Network reported.

"To most of the world, Erica was known as a professional golfer, but she was more than that," he said in a statement.

"She was a loving daughter to her parents and a compassionate and loyal friend. Erica had a good heart, was extremely kind and very thankful for what she had in her life.

"She lived out her dream of playing professional golf on the highest level on the LPGA Tour, allowing her to help inspire others. We are proud of Erica for everything she accomplished.

"This is a painful loss, we feel it in our hearts and we will miss her. Erica would want those close to her to celebrate the life she lived. We ask that you keep Erica and her family in your prayers."

Greg Allen, the former coach at the University of Arizona, remembers a fiery competitor whom the Wildcats affectionately called "Skip." When Blasberg showed up to her first workout as a freshman in 2002, the trainer asked the team to warm up by skipping around the track. Blasberg didn't know how to skip.

"Every kid in America knows how to skip," Allen said, laughing. "We stuck that name on her."

Blasberg was a decorated collegian, winning six tournaments in two years. She was named Golfweek's 2003 Player of the Year after finishing the season No. 1 in the rankings. She also was '03 NGCA Freshman of the Year, Pac-10 Player of the Year and competed on the victorious 2004 Curtis Cup team.

The California native turned professional in June 2004, posting four top-10s in eight starts on the Duramed Futures Tour, including a victory at the Lacona Savings Bank Futures Golf Classic. She qualified for the LPGA later that fall.