The R&A's policy of hosting The Open at male-only clubs could soon come to an end, according to one of the championship's sponsors.
Ahead of last year's Open at Muirfield, chief executive Peter Dawson said it would take a "hard push" to make the R&A change their policy, despite "political posturing" and attacks by pressure groups. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond was among the high-profile figures who stayed away from Muirfield, describing the club's membership policy as "indefensible in the 21st century".
Similar protests occur when the championship is staged at Royal St George's and Troon - the other clubs on the nine-strong Open rota to be men-only - but Dawson said the R&A were inclined to resist such pressure, despite admitting that the issue had become "increasingly difficult".
However, HSBC's global head of sponsorship and events Giles Morgan hinted that such resistance could soon be futile. He said: "I think things are moving. It's not something we are going to put a gun to anyone's head over, but we would like to see it solved so we don't keep talking about it."
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Morgan said "very few" of the bank's customers complained about its association with the Open, but added: "The R&A are clear that it's a very uneasy position for the bank. When you are showcasing one of the world's greatest tournaments it would be much more palatable if the events were played where there was not the sense of segregation.
"We would like to see it solved so we don't keep talking about it. I don't want to be in a position where we have to justify our sponsorship. The R&A are doing a lot of research. They've been asking a lot of sponsors and stakeholders, which they did over the last three or four months. They are acutely aware things need to change and move on.
"Through what they research I think they will end up with the right answer. I just feel that for the good of the game - and this is why they are doing the consultancy they are - it has to be looked at properly and then they can face the golfing world properly and say this is our decision based on a lot of consulting with the important and right people in the game of golf."
Troon is due to host The Open in 2016. An R&A spokesman said: "We promised a period of reflection immediately after last year's Championship and this process is ongoing. Naturally, we have taken soundings within the game and we will report the outcome of our deliberations in due course."
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