ALEX Salmond yesterday defended attending The Open Championship at a men-only golf club in 2011 after refusing to turn up at this year's event in Scotland because of its ban on women members, writes Judith Duffy.
Last month, the First Minister said he would not attend The Open, currently taking place at Muirfield in East Lothian, stating: "I just think it's indefensible in the 21st century not to have a golf club that's open to all."
But yesterday he said he was not aware the same rules existed when he attended The Open at Royal St George's in Kent in 2011.
Keen golfer Salmond, who was pictured playing with top American golfer Phil Mickelson last week, said: "I didn't know actually Royal St George's had that policy and learned of the controversy the day I was there.
"Maybe I don't have the same knowledge of clubs outside Scotland as I do about clubs inside Scotland, and that's because I'm First Minister."
Muirfield, Royal St George's and Troon are the three courses out of nine on The Open rota which do not allow women members. Salmond made his comments at a press conference to announce that the Scottish Government and Aberdeen Asset Management will be backing the Scottish Open until 2017.
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