The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has appointed amateur player Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history.

The club, based at the “home of golf” on the east coast of Scotland, opened its membership to women 12 years ago.

Dowling will serve as club captain from September after she was nominated by previous holders of the office. The 2027 Open will be hosted by St Andrews during her tenure.

The Dublin-born golfer represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup on four occasions and was a member of the 1986 team that secured a first victory over the United States on American soil.

She captained the losing Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team at Ganton, in northern England, in 2000.

Dowling was one of the first women to join the Royal and Ancient club and has served on several committees.

The club has a worldwide membership of around 2,500. It previously had a major role in the administration of the rules of golf but devolved responsibility to a newly formed group of companies, known as the R+A, in 2004.