Way Open for women

THE way has been cleared for teenage sensation Michelle Wie to become the first female ever to play in the British Open - possibly even this July at St Andrews.

The Royal and Ancient Club, a male only club which has run the championship at male only courses since it began at Prestwick in 1860, have taken the decision “in principal” that from next year it will not be men-only.

Although all the details of how female players, professional and amateur, would qualify in future years have yet to be made 15-year-old Wie comes into a special category because of her invitation to the John Deere Classic in Illinois, starting on July 7.

The US Tour event carries with it a place into the Open for the leading non-exempt player.

Technically therefore it would be possible for Wie, who in Hawaii on May 13 begins an attempt to qualify for June’s US Open, even to miss the halfway cut and still claim an exempt spot.

The issue of women being able to play in majors has been a matter of debate ever since world number one Annika Sorenstam two years ago became the first female to appear on the US Tour since 1945.

Others have since followed around the world, Britain’s Laura Davies playing in a tournament in Australia co-sanctioned by the European and Australasian Tours and Wie, incredibly, missing the cut by only one stroke at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January last year when she was only 14.

Former European Tour executive director Ken Schofield let it be known before his retirement last year he hoped Davies’s appearance on the circuit was a one-off.

Spectator figures at the Home of Golf are traditionally the highest of any Open venue and the number of American fans is expected to be the highest it has been since the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001.

Those attending will see 65-year-old Jack Nicklaus make what he says will be his final Open.

The three-time champion - two of his victories came at the Old Course - is already among the list of players who have entered.