Padraig Harrington leads criticism of Muirfield decision to refuse women members

"Muirfield may go ahead and say we want just be a small golf club and mind their own business and that's fine, but minding their own business isn't holding the Open is it?"

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington has backed the decision to remove Muirfield from the Open rota following the club's vote to continue refusing women members.

A two-thirds majority was required to alter the Scottish club's constitution but only 64 per cent voted in favour and 36 per cent against on Thursday.