Royal St George's allows women, Nicklaus hails Trump

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Royal St George's allow women members

Royal St George’s has voted to allow women members for the first time, leaving Muirfield and Royal Troon as the only Open venues with a male-only membership policy.

More than 81% of full members took part in the ballot and a decisive 90% voted in favour of ladies being eligible for membership of the Kent club.

A statement read: "The Royal St George's Golf Club is pleased to announce that, following an extraordinary general meeting held on 14th February 2015 and a subsequent ballot of the full members of the Club, a resolution to alter the Club's rules to make ladies eligible for membership has been passed."

The change will take immediate effect.

Nicklaus praises Trump's impact on golf

Jack Nicklaus has praised Donald Trump’s impact on golf as the PGA Tour prepares to play the WGC Cadillac Championship at Doral - one of the billionaire’s 18 courses.

"What he's been doing is terrific for the game," Nicklaus told USA Today. "He brought a new life during a time when the game was struggling."

Trump owns some of the most exclusive courses in the world, including Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Trump International Golf Club Doonbeg in Ireland and Trump International Turnberry in Scotland.

The 68-year-old hopes to bring a fifth Open to Turnberry, which Trump ordered to be redesigned. 

Casey still harbours Ryder Cup ambition 

Paul Casey has not given up on the Ryder Cup despite resigning as a member of the European Tour and taking residency on the PGA Tour.

The decision to play in the US rules him out of competing for Europe but the Englishman still hopes to return to golf’s greatest team event.

“I haven’t given up on the Ryder Cup, anything but,” Casey, who rose to world number 45 after a third-place finish at the Honda Classic, told The Guardian. “My dream is to play in another one, another few or more, but I just haven’t figured how to yet.

“I do think about the Ryder Cup and what will happen but it’s not at the forefront right now. Winning out here is primary.”

European hopefuls need to play 13 European Tour events, and Casey is chasing a top-50 ranking which would allow him to play four majors and four WGC events in a season, all of which would count towards that tally.

Mickelson too tired to play Masters practice round

Phil Mickelson skipped a practice round at Augusta on Tuesday because he was too tired.

The left-hander was due to play with Rickie Fowler, Ben Crane and Brooks Koepka at the home of the Masters, but a busy schedule curtailed his plans.

The five-time major champion finished the Honda Classic on Monday, before playing a Pro-Am in the afternoon at Seminole Golf Club, and decided not to play Augusta the following day. 

The Masters takes place at Augusta from 9-12 April.  

Honda Classic reviewing evacuation procedure after caddie protest

The Honda Classic will review its evacuation plan after caddies protested at having to wait in a “metal tent” while a storm battered PGA National.

“We evacuated players and caddies and got them off the course and thousands of spectators were removed, safely,” said Ken Kennerly, the Honda Classic tournament director.

“We will have a more comprehensive evacuation plan next year involving the caddies and this has never been an issue. We will make sure we review it.”

Ty Votaw, the PGA Tour’s executive vice president, explained it is up to each tournament to provide facilities, although a guideline is provided.