The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews said it is prepared to officially name and shame those competitors guilt of any misconduct during this year’s Open Championship.

Peter Dawson, CEO of the R & A, revealed the move at the now annual pre-Open press conference conducted Monday at Royal St. George’s at Sandwich in Kent.

This is contrary to the policies of the major pro tours including the European Tour and PGA Tour.

“It is true to say these days what with the enormous TV coverage and the use of on-course microphones there is less and less places for the top ranked players to hide while they’re out on the golf course,” said Dawson.

“But we have to remember these guys are role models and we are looking for them to behave on the golf course, as well as possible.

“Generally, the behaviour in our sport is a model for other sports.

“It is because the standard is so high that particular individuals get so much publicity and rightfully they should.

“But then we are only week in 52 and if a player does misbehave we rely on the tour’s disciplinary policy.

“However I am in favour of any sanction being made public and I don’t see any harm in that, at all.

“And if anything it strengthens any sanction imposed”

Royal St. George’s had been the first course outside of Scotland to host The Open in 1894 when J. H. Taylor captured the first of five Open titles.

This year’s Open will be the 14^th occasion Royal St. George’s will have hosted golf’s oldest Major.

While Dawson is predicting record crowds to flock to the venue don’t expect the club to throw open its doors to female members.

“We have never really been particularly concerned a club’s policy,” he said.

“The issue of single sex clubs is that firstly it is perfectly legal under the new equality act and secondly there is very few of them.

“So I don’t see it as any argument that it seriously affects participation in playing golf of either sex.

“Though if the clubs were more prevalent that it is then it would probably would be an issue, and there is far less than one per cent of golf clubs that are single sex clubs.

“Also in all the surveys I’ve seen it does not seem to be a major issue for non-golfers.”

Dawson indicated this year’s host venue will be 105-yards longer than when American Ben Curtis was the surprise winner in 2003.

The Royal St. George’s championship course will be 7,211 yards compared to 7,106 yards eight years ago.

Also the course in Kent will play to a par 70 in comparison to 2003 when it played to a par 71.

This is due to the 495-yard, par four, fifth hole playing this year as a  par four when it was a par five the last time golf’s oldest Major was played on the course.

“Along with adding 105-yards we will have four new championship tees at the third, seventh, ninth and 15^th holes,” said Dawson.

“There has been significant changes to seven other holes including the 18^th that has been remodelled more than other hole where we’ve moved the fairway slightly right.

“It’s made the last now very challenging but also a much fairer finishing hole.”

Dawson also cited the impact to the local and wider economy in hosting the Open Championship.

“When the Open was staged at St. Andrews last year it proved to be a £100m benefit to the local region,” said Dawson.

“Also there was a £47.4m overall economic impact to Scotland and a £52.6 destination impact in hosting the Open at St. Andrews.

“And with two high speed trains to run every hour from St. Pancras direct to Sandwich and return it puts those people living in central London just 80 minutes from Royal St. Georges.

“So with the expectation of huge attendance figures it will not doubt have the same economic impact on Sandwich and Kent as it did for St. Andrews.”