Troon lifts ban on women just 8 days before hosting British Open

After almost 140 years, Scotland's Royal Troon Golf Club has voted to allow women members for the first time in its history.

A decision by club members was announced on the club's website Saturday after a critical vote was taken at a special meeting Friday night.

In just eight days time Royal Troon hosts the 145th British Open Championship, one of the world's most famous, and richest, golf tournaments.

Members at the Ayrshire golf course had intended to make a decision on women members at the end of this year, but club officials decided to bring forward a vote after the organisers of the Open announced that another Scottish club on the Open circuit, Muirfield, voted earlier this year to continue its ban on admitting women members.

That decision meant that it was removed from the list of British clubs available to host the iconic contest.

Muirfield, in East Lothian, Scotland, is now the only Open circuit club with a "no women allowed".

Earlier this week it was revealed that the committee at Muirfield is seeking ways of a further ballot towards the end of this year in the hope of reversing the decision it took six weeks ago to continue its ban on no lady members.

Muirfield captain Henry Fairweather told local media in Edinburgh that the step was being taken after the initial vote had damaged the club's reputation after it faced criticism from politicians, including Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and leading golfers such as Rory McIlroy and Catriona Matthew. Endit