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European Tour bosses unfazed by China crackdown

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The ruling Communist Party has long had an ambivalent relationship with golf, which has been a lucrative opportunity for local authorities and a favoured pastime of some officials (AFP Photo/Dale de la Rey)

The head of the European Tour said Monday that China's ruling Communist Party banning its members from golf should be seen as a "positive" step for the game's growth in the world's most populous nation.

The Tour's new CEO, Keith Pelley, said the decision to introduce new rules on clean governance, which banned "extravagant eating and drinking", "improper sexual relationships" and "playing golf", would help change perceptions of the game in China.