Billy Payne in favour of women at Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

Augusta National chairman Billy Payne has indicated that he will vote in favour of women being allowed to join the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Payne, a member of the R&A, believes that it is time for the 260-year-old club to follow Augusta's example ahead of the September 18 vote.

"As I've said before, we readily and joyously welcomed our lady members when that happened a couple years ago and it remains a very good decision on our part," Payne told reporters.

"We are so delighted, and I know I speak for everyone, that they are members. I'm proud to be a member of the R&A and I bet you can guess how I'm going to vote."

In 2012 former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore became the first women granted membership at Augusta.