Competitive golf can return to the island’s courses from Saturday, the sport’s governing body has announced.

Posting on the Isle of Man Golf Facebook page late on Thursday night, it said: ’We have had written confirmation that competitive golf can recommence from Saturday, June 6 at your club’s discretion.’

Golf was one of the first sports allowed to resume in a recreational format when lockdown restrictions began to be relaxed in late April, initially for single players or small groups from the same household.

Restrictions were extended a couple of weeks later to allow people from other households to play together, again in small groups, as long as social distancing was observed.

The return to competitive action will make it the first sport to do so since lockdown restrictions were put in place in March to prevent the spread of Covid-19.