No growth for 2009 but China Tour delivering

The fifth year of the China Tour will not expand to 10 events as planned but organizers say that, given the global economic downturn, just maintaining the schedule at eight tournaments should be considered a success.

Nick Mould of organizers World Sport Group said the Tour, which was set up by the Chinese Golf Association (CGA) and tees off again this week in Xiamen, had retained its title sponsorship deal with Omega, although the Swiss watchmakers have had to scale back their investment slightly.

"I think it's proven that no part of society is insulated (from the economic downturn) and that includes sport," Mould, World Sport Group's East Asia president, told Reuters in an interview.