Open to women

The Open championship could change from being a men-only event next year.

In a sign of changing times Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Club which organises the 145-year-old championship, has said he favours the removal of the ban on women players.

This year’s entry form stipulates that entries are only allowed from “any male professional or from a male amateur golfer whose playing handicap does not exceed scratch.”