R&A announce Muirfield back on Open rota

The R&A have responded to Muirfield’s vote on women members by allowing the venue back on to the Open roster.

Henry Fairweather, Captain at Muirfield, announced that the golf club had voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing women to become members of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

92.7% of members at Muirfield voted, with 498 in favour of allowing women members and 123 against, which more than meets the two-thirds majority required to invoke the decision.

This is a significant decision for a club which was founded in 1744 and retains many of the values and aspirations of its founding members” Fairweather said.

“We look forward to welcoming women as members who will enjoy, and benefit from, the great traditions and friendly spirit of this remarkable club.”

Minutes after the announcement, Chief Executive of the R&A Martin Slumbers offered his own statement on the matter.

“In light of today’s decision by the Honourable Company we can confirm that Muirfield will become a venue for The Open once again” he said.

“Muirfield has a long and important history of hosting The Open and with today’s announcement that will continue.

“It is extremely important for us in staging one of the world’s great sporting events that women can become members at all of our host clubs.

“Muirfield is a truly outstanding Open venue and we very much look forward to taking the Championship back there in future.”

Muirfield has held the Open 16 times in its history, the last of which was the scene of Phil Mickelson’s victory in 2013. The earliest the course can now hold the tournament is in 2022.