Butler schedules visit with Saints

Patriots restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler has scheduled a visit with the Saints at the team’s headquarters on Thursday.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton confirmed the visit Tuesday, telling The Associated Press he holds Butler in high regard and is eager to meet with him.

If the Saints sign the 27-yearold Butler to an offer, New England has the option to match it. The Patriots could also let Butler go and then receive the Saints’ 11th overall draft pick this year in return. the team’s facility without signing a deal.

The team announced it hosted him after he spent Monday getting wooed by the New York Jets. Hightower spent most of the day at the team’s headquarters, but left early in the evening without a deal imminent. postal ballot after members voted last May to retain the male-only policy. That led to Muirfield being taken off the British Open rotation.

The results of the second vote were announced Tuesday outside Muirfield’s clubhouse, with club captain Henry Fairweather saying that 80.2 percent of those who voted chose to allow women to become members. A two-thirds majority was required for change.

A total of 621 members voted, a turnout of 92.7 percent. third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday for his 50th career victory at the desert tournament.

Nadal closed out the 1 [ ]hour match in 95-degree heat with a forehand winner. The three-time tournament champion could next face Roger Federer, who played American Steve Johnson later.

Venus Williams advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001 with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Shuai Peng, the last remaining qualifier in the draw. She had 40 winners, 40 unforced errors and won the final four games of the match after trailing 3-2.

Williams ended her 15-year boycott of the event last year, when she lost in the second round.