HISTORY will be made in two years’ time as Muirfield hosts the AIG Women’s Open for the first time.

The world-famous course, which has held the men’s event 16 times, has been confirmed as the venue for the prestigious competition in 2022.

A decision to allow female members at Muirfield for the first time by the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was taken in 2017. Previously, women had only been allowed to play the course as guests or visitors.

A vote the previous year had seen a vote to scrap the club's men-only policy fall narrowly short of the required two-thirds majority.

Following that vote, the venue was removed from organisers The R&A's rota for hosting The Open – it was reinstated following the 2017 reversal of the men-only policy.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, was delighted with Muirfield receiving the 2022 Women's Open, a decision which was announced on the eve of this year’s event, which is being played at Royal Troon.

Next year, Carnoustie will host the competition, which was won last year by Hinako Shibuno, with Muirfield then welcoming players in 2022.

Walton Heath (2023), St Andrews (2024) and Royal Porthcawl (2025) were also announced as future venues.

Mr Slumbers said: “With our partners at AIG, we have a real ambition to grow and elevate the AIG Women's Open for the benefit of the world's leading golfers and so we are excited to confirm our intention to play the next five championships at these renowned courses.

“It has truly been a collaborative effort from all the venues involved to make this schedule possible and the flexibility that they have shown in adjusting their own calendars has been vital in allowing us to confirm our plans for the championship through to 2025.

“We are grateful for their support, particularly during a time when golf has been impacted by the ongoing pandemic, and we look forward to working with these venues to deliver an outstanding experience to be enjoyed by everyone involved in the AIG Women’s Open.”

North Berwick's Catriona Matthew won the tournament in 2009, when it was hosted at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Muirfield, Walton Heath and Royal Porthcawl will all be hosting the women’s major championship for the first time.

Muirfield, near Gullane, has a prestigious history of hosting Major championships, having last held The Open in 2013.

Phil Mickelson lifted the Claret Jug on that occasion and the course also hosted The Curtis Cup in 1952 and 1984, as well as the Vagliano Trophy in 1963 and 1975.

Councillor Jeremy Findlay, who lives in nearby Gullane, described it as “great news for the club and great news for East Lothian”.

He said: “This part of East Lothian is not known as Scotland’s Golf Coast for nothing.

“It is the greatest stretch of golf courses in the whole of Scotland, if not the whole of the UK, and Muirfield is the jewel in the crown that continues to attract visitors from all over the world, who want to play Muirfield, Gullane, North Berwick and Dunbar.

“We saw the Ladies Scottish Open event [at The Renaissance Club, near Dirleton, last week] being held without spectators.

“It is great to have it here but not having spectators is a great shame because that adds to the whole atmosphere and the draw.

“Hopefully, in two years’ time, we have a vaccine [for Covid-19] and we are back to as close to normal as possible.”