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World’s oldest golf club Muirfield invites women members for first time in 275 YEARS to finally end long-standing sexism row

SNOOTY Muirfield golf club has "invited" women to become members for the first time in 275 years - finally ending its long-standing sexism row.

Muirfield in Edinburgh, the world's oldest golf club which has hosted 16 Opens, was kicked off the rota for holding golf's oldest major after it failed to change its men-only policy in 2016.

 Muirfield golf club has 'invited' the first 12 women to join the previously men-only club
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Muirfield golf club has 'invited' the first 12 women to join the previously men-only clubCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Members originally voted not to allow women but that decision was overturned after another vote a year later.

Now some 12 women have been invited to take up membership from July 1.

Alistair Campbell, captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers which owns and runs the club, said: “It is my great pleasure to announce that 12 women have been formally invited to join the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers this month.

"This marks a milestone in the club’s illustrious history, and we look forward to welcoming all of our new members to share in the great values and traditions of our club."

Individuals who are invited to join must first be proposed and seconded by existing members and five referees.

SEXISM ROW

Club members are then invited to write for or against those put forward.

The 12 women, two of whom are from overseas, according to the , are now through to the final stage of the approval process.

SunSport told you in April how .

A spokeswoman for charity Women in Sport said at the time: "It is disappointing that two years on from the vote there’s been so little progress.

"The change to the membership ruling was a progressive step for the club.

"But they need to continue promoting their open-doors policy to women and push forward any applications.

"Female golfers have waited a long time to be given permission and it would be unacceptable to see that stall."

Muirfield last hosted the Open in 2013 when American Phil Mickelson won.