Chalmers, Martin and most of the players are fighting for a spot in the British Open in two weeks at Royal Troon in Scotland.
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Last year, Royal St George’s voted to admit women members, while The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Ancient did likewise in September 2014.
The club’s membership had expected this vote to go this way, with a test ballot garnering some 75 percent in support.
A review of membership policy was announced by Troon in January 2015 and was initially not due to be resolved until later this year. The last time the event was held at Royal Troon, 2004, Woods finished in ninth place. “Therefore, I am delighted with the decision taken by members of Royal Troon this evening and look forward to welcoming women to our great club”.
Royal Troon has voted overwhelmingly to admit female members for the first time in the golf club’s 138-year history.
Troon had previously regarded itself a special case because it shares facilities with the Ladies Golf Club, Troon.
Although Woods released no statement about skipping the tournament at Royal Troon, the three-time Open victor said last month: “I am making progress, but I’m not yet ready for tournament competition”, noting that he “continue [s] to work hard on getting healthy”.
Henry Fairweather, the Muirfield captain, said that step was being taken after the initial vote had “damaged” the East Lothian club’s reputation as it came under fire from politicians, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and leading golfers such as Rory McIlroy and Catriona Matthew.
Jason Day, from Australia, watches his tee shot from the second tee during the third round of the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club, Saturday, July 2, 2016, in Akron, Ohio.
Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters, was the first to admit female members in 2012.
Muirfield last hosted the Open in 2013, when Phil Mickelson won the claret jug.
Day was at 4-under 136, matching Tiger Woods in 2005 for the highest 36-hole score to lead this World Golf Championship.
“I am trying to do it correctly at this time”.
“It happens in every household and my mum and dad are in two separate rooms watching two different programmes!”
Two-time victor of the Claret Jug Padraig Harrington echoed those sentiments. “The great thing is that once I do silly things like that on 18, I soon forget about it, and I just need to start focusing on tomorrow’s round”.
“That came out of nowhere”, Day said.
The vote, originally planned for later in the year, was moved up to yesterday in the wake of Muirfield’s decision.
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“It’s not fun. It’s a tough road”.
