ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- For the first time in 2006, regional qualifying for the British Open Golf Championship will be open to women.
In part, the rule change states "entry to The Open should be based on playing ability irrespective of gender."
This allows women who finished in the top-five and ties of the four women's major championships to attempt to qualify through regional qualifying.
The four women's majors from which players will be eligible include the 2005 Women's British Open, the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship, McDonald's LPGA Championship and the U.S. Women's Open.
"Our Championship Committee pledged to review entry conditions and to assess how women golfers might compete on equal terms with men for a place in The Open," said Royal & Ancient Chief Executive Peter Dawson.
Seven women from the 2005 Women's Open are eligible to enter regional qualifying -- Jeong Jang, Sophie Gustafson, Young Kim, Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr, Liselotte Neumann and Annika Sorenstam.
