Muirfield welcomes landmark AIG Women's Open | 'It had to open to world'

At long last, Muirfield welcomes the world's best and brightest female players to its shores as the AIG Women's Open makes its bow at the historic links.

Besides marking the first time a women's event has been hosted at the East Lothian course, it will also be the first major event for men or women to be held there since Phil Mickelson won The Open in 2013

A prolonged delay stems from an effort to admit women members to the male-only Honourable Company, having been rebuffed in 2016. The decision drew strong criticism from First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and other local MPs at the time, before the R&A removed Muirfield from The Open rotation.

Upon a second poll within the next year, 80 per cent voted in agreement with the admission of women members to pave the way for this summer's event.

"It's great. I think the ladies should be on rotations that we play on," said 1995 Open winner John Daly. "These golf courses that we play and they've played the British Opens over all these years, it's kind of almost a home, especially with six or seven of eight of them in Scotland.

"I know they don't want to go back, but it would be great to see Turnberry again on the rotation. What daddy (Donald) Trump has done to that place, I heard is amazing. They'll enjoy it. Muirfield is a hard golf course, but it's fair. They'll enjoy it."

Former world No 1 Ernie Els added: "Obviously a great venue, wonderful history. Great to see the women playing at Muirfield. It's wonderful to see them play there. That's one of my favourites obviously. Obviously this one and Muirfield and Lytham, they stand out for me."

Anna Nordqvist arrives as the defending Women's Open champion after beating Georgia Hall, Madelene Sagstrom and Lizette Salas by