Posted on: Wednesday, April 27, 2005
British Open OKs women
Associated Press
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — The British Open will allow women to compete starting in 2006, and might even accept Honolulu teenager Michelle Wie this summer if she qualifies through the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said the men-only restriction will be removed in time for next year's Open, July 17-23 at Royal Hoylake, although the qualifying procedure for women has not been determined.
The entry form for this year's championship states: "An entry will be accepted from any male professional golfer or from a male amateur golfer whose playing handicap does not exceed scratch."
The three majors in the United States — the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA — have no policy barring women.
"The hesitancy is in the detail, not in the principle," Dawson said. "There has been no resistance to the principle of women playing in the Open if they are qualified for it"
Martin Kippax, chairman of the R&A's championship committee, said tournament officials would probably allow Wie to compete this year if the 15-year-old earns an exemption at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Illinois from July 7-10.
The leading nonexempt player at the John Deere Classic will receive an exemption to the British Open at St. Andrews from July 14 to 17.
"The reality is that she will probably get in (if she claims the exempt spot)," Kippax said. "I am quite sure the championship committee would probably agree to it."
The Royal & Ancient Club said yesterday it has agreed to alter the wording of entry regulations — a change that could put a woman in one of golf's four majors for the first time.
