The committee of Royal Troon GC, which is the host club of this year’s Open Champuonship, are trying to bring forward the consultation about introducing women members to the club.

They are trying to canvass the views of the club’s 800 members with a vote before the championship in July, so as not to overshadow it. The same issue caused negative press to Muirfield three years ago. Royal Troon’s committee say that no pressure has been imposed by the Royal and Ancient.

The complicating issue at Royal Troon is that there has also been a separate Ladies Club for the past 130 years and the review of new membership is seen to have an impact on that club.