THE OPEN

MUIRFIELD has returned to The Open Championship rota after the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers last week voted to offer membership to women.

The East Lothian club, founded in 1744, had been removed from the Open rota, as they refused to extend membership to ladies.

But the rule change required a two-thirds majority – and it was only achieved after a second ballot.

The bad news, however, came in a statement afterwards from their spokesman Henry Fairweather.

He said: “The current waiting list for Muirfield membership, suggests both men and women can expect to wait over three years to become members.”

But the sport’s governing body, the Royal & Ancient (R&A), welcomed Muirfield having a change of heart.

“It’s extremely important for us in staging one of the world’s great sporting events that women can become members of all our host clubs,” said R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers.

“So, in light of the Muirfield decision, we can confirm they will once more become an Open venue.

“Muirfield is an out-