R&A Name First Women Members

The Princess Royal and six leading players from golf's history have been named as the first women members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

The club voted last September to end its male-only membership policy after 260 years.

More than three quarters of the club's 2,400 members took part in a ballot, with 85 per cent voting to allow women members.

The club said in a statement on its website: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Dame Laura Davies, Renee Powell, Belle Robertson MBE, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs have accepted invitations to become honorary members of the club.''