Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister and leader of that country's government, will not attend next month's Open Championship at Muirfield because of the club's all-male membership policy.
The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers hosts the R&A and the Open Championship, which does not have any female members. However, Salmond will still attend the Scottish Open the week prior at Castle Stuart.
“The Scottish Open is being held the week before the Open Championship, and the First Minister will not be at Muirfield, but he wishes everyone involved all the best for a great tournament,” said a Salmond spokesman, according to the U.K.-based Telegraph.
“His views on single-sex golf clubs are well-enough known, but we are sure this year’s Open will be another fantastic advert for Scotland, and we expect tourism minister Fergus Ewing to attend for the Scottish Government.”
Salmond is a big golf fan, regularly attending the Ryder Cup, Open Championship and other big events. He has also been admonished for using public funds to go to these events.
The R&A does not require clubs in the Open rota to have both male and female members. Earlier this year, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said he would not "bully" clubs like Muirfield and Royal Troon to offer membership to women.
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