Female golfers could be playing at next year's British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland.

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the governing body for the sport outside the United States, said today it was changing its entry rules to allow women to qualify for the oldest of the four majors.

The announcement came on the same day that 16-year-old Michelle Wie made her pro debut by shooting a 2-under 70 at the Samsung World Championship in California.

"It's great that they opened it up," Wie said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to try for it."

Wie said she did not know whether her schedule next year would allow her to go over to Britain for the first stage of qualifying, which is only 18 holes.

Past entry forms for the British Open restricted the event to "any male professional golfer" or "male amateur golfer whose playing handicap does not exceed scratch." The new rules state that entry "should be based on playing ability irrespective of gender."

Any woman finishing in the top five — including ties — in any of the four LPGA majors will be eligible for regional qualifying. In addition, any women meeting the entry requirements for international qualifying, final qualifying and the Open itself can enter at these stages directly.

The three majors in the United States — the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA — have no policy barring women.

The 135th British Open will be played next year at Royal Liverpool from July 20 to 23.

"I am delighted that a qualification route has now been established for the best women players to gain access to the championship, competing alongside men on the same courses and from the same tees," R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said.

PGA TOUR

BAIRD'S 10-UNDER 62 LEADS WAY IN MICHELIN

Briny Baird shot a 10-under 62 to top the leaderboard after a low-scoring first round in the Michelin Championship in Las Vegas.

Baird played at the TPC at Summerlin, where the par is 72. The other course being used for the first two rounds, the TPC at The Canyons, is a par 71.

Ryan Palmer shot a 9-under 62 at The Canyons, and Charles Howell III had a 9-under 63 at Summerlin. The players will switch courses today and the final two rounds will be played at Summerlin.