R&A may merge with Ladies’ Golf Union as talks underway

The R&A may be set for a high-profile merger with the Ladies Golf Union after it was announced that discussions had taken place between the two organisations.

A joint statement issued today said “exploratory discussions” were underway and that a merger between the two organisations was one of the possibilities being discussed.

A spokesperson said: “There is a great deal of synergy between the LGU and The R&A, with both based in St Andrews and responsible for staging Major Championships, prestigious amateur events and international matches. Both organisations are committed to supporting the development of golf and encouraging participation in the sport.”

The R&A has had a progressive fortnight in terms of gender relations, with the first female members at St Andrews being accepted.

‘There is a great deal of synergy between the LGU and R&A’ Together with the United States Golf Association, the R&A is the biggest organisational body in golf, governing the game worldwide, administering the rules of golf and organising major events such as the Open.

The LGU was founded in 1893 and is the encompassing body for ladies’ amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland. The organisation runs the Ricoh Women’s British Open and prepares the GB&I teams for matches such as the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy.

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