Martin Slumbers, as CEO of the R & A and organisers of the Open Championship, has strongly hinted if the Muirfield members deliver a two-thirds majority vote in a second ballot then the Edinburgh club will find itself back on the Open rota.

Slumbers sat down with members of the media earlier today (Mon) in his office overlooking the first tee at St. Andrews for what now an annual ‘meet with the media’, and an initiative started by his predecessor Peter Dawson.

“I was very pleased with Muirfield having a second vote as the first vote created a lot of negative press,” said Slumbers to the media in attendance.

The R & As CEO Martin Slumbers.

“I think it created quite a lot of disappointment around the world with some of the best players when Muirfield was no longer going to be on the rota, but it’s a matter completely for the club. It’s none of my business.

“So we do need more positive views of this wonderful game and growth that is going on in the game.

“I’d like to see far more of those stories, plus I do believe that if we are going to grow participation in the game, family golf is at the heart of that strategy.

“Muirfield is a wonderful golf course. It’s a great Open venue, and I’m very pleased that they’re going through that process. We’ll wait and see the outcome of the result, which will be, I’m led to believe, sometime before the end of March.”