Bay Hill, Orlando, FL …

Muirfield has been warmly welcomed back into the Open Championship rota following the Edinburgh’s club’s historic decision to allow women members.

There needed to be two-thirds majority vote among the 498 members but in very sad revelation 123 males members or 19.8% voted against the move.

Overall the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers decision was clearly the right move with a postal pole of 498 members voting in favour of the move.

The R & A had reacted quickly last May when the first postal vote failed to allow women members by dropping Muirfield from hosting golf’s oldest Major.

Muirfield club captain Henry Fairweather welcomed the result: “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.

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

Muirfield Club Captain Henry Fairweather confirms the club has voted to allow women members.

Muirfield captain Henry Fairweather said he looked forward to welcoming female members

Now new R & A CEO Martin Slumbers was quick to confirm the Edinburgh course, where Phil Mickelson captured a first Open in 2013, will again be in the mix to host golf’s oldest major.

“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 back on the Open Championship after members voted to allow women members.

“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.”

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