Muirfield was stripped of its right to host the British Open after the Scottish club voted against admitting female members in a move that provoked sharp criticism from players and lawmakers Thursday.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns Muirfield, announced its decision to retain the club’s male-only policy following a ballot of its members. A two-thirds majority was required for change. Out of 616 members who voted, 36 percent were against allowing women.

Within minutes the Royal and Ancient, which runs the British Open, said Muirfield was off the list of 10 courses that can host golf’s oldest major championship.

“Going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement. “If the policy at the club should change, we would reconsider Muirfield as a venue for The Open in future.”

Muirfield has staged the British Open 16 times dating to 1892, most recently in 2013 when Phil Mickelson won. Royal Troon, which hosts this year’s tournament July 14-17, is the only other club on the rotation to still exclude women.

British sports minister David Evennett said the decision by Muirfield’s members was “extremely disappointing” and “sends out completely the wrong message.”

“Scotland has women leaders in every walk of life,” Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said on Twitter. “It is 2016. This is simply indefensible.”

PGA: Jordan Spieth finished off a 6-under 64 just before dark and was within a stroke of the lead when the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson was suspended at Irving, Texas.

Sergio Garcia, Danny Lee and Johnson Wagner all shot 63. Lee and Wagner, like Spieth, were just able to complete the round that started 21/2 hours late after early-morning rain.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Danny Willett struck an opening round of 7-under 65 to take a two-shot lead lead over home favorite Rory McIlroy in the Irish Open at Straffan, Ireland.

LPGA: Mika Miyazato had five birdies in a six-hole stretch and finished with a 6-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the Kingsmill Championship at Williamsburg, Virginia.

CHAMPIONS: Kenny Perry birdied the final hole for an 8-under 64 and a two-stroke lead in the Regions Tradition at Birmingham, Alabama, the first of five Champions Tour majors.

Bernhard Langer shot 66 for a second-place tie with Gene Sauers.