R&A's Martin Slumbers welcomes new Muirfield vote over women members

Muirfield's decision to hold a second ballot on admitting female members "delighted" the head of the R&A.

Chief executive Martin Slumbers removed the Scottish course from the Open rota when a vote to change its all-male membership policy failed to gain the required two-thirds majority last year.

Slumbers told BBC Sport that Muirfield's "closeness with the Claret Jug is very important".

The result of the latest ballot is expected to be published next month.