Former prime minister Gordon Brown has urged one of Britain’s most famous golf clubs to end the “injustice” of not allowing women to be members.

Augusta National’s decision to have women members for the first time inevitably means the spotlight will fall even more now on the Royal and Ancient Club, golf’s ruling body for most of the world.

David Duval has withdrawn from this year’s Open for personal reasons.

The Women’s British Open, which in August will become the first championship for women professionals ever to be played over the Old Course at St Andrews, has a new title sponsor.

Players at the World Amateur Team Championships starting in Stellenbosch on Thursday have been reminded that drug testing is to be carried out by the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport.

Thomas Bjorn believes it will be a case of “money talks” when it comes to the issue of women playing in European Tour events.

THE door has officially been opened for the likes of women’s world number one Annika Sorenstam and teenage sensation Michelle Wie to play at next year’s Open golf championship at Hoylake near Liverpool - providing they can qualify.

Peter Lawrie has become the first Irish golfer to be named as the European tour’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

BERNHARD LANGER is now odds-on to become Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain.

MARK MCCORMACK, once famously described as “the most powerful man in sport”, died in America yesterday, four months after suffering cardiac arrest and falling into a coma from which he never recovered.