Sponsors urge R&A to move with the times and not stage The Open at men-only clubs

By DEREK LAWRENSON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 09:54 EST, 18 January 2014 | Updated: 09:54 EST, 18 January 2014

The days of the Open Championship being taken to men-only golf clubs could finally be drawing to an end, according to one of the tournament’s leading sponsors.

Giles Morgan, head of sports sponsorship for HSBC, outlined his frustration at being linked with such a ludicrous anachronism and called on the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, who organise the event and are the game’s governing body, to finally move with the times.

‘When you are showcasing one of the world’s greatest tournaments it would be much more palatable if it was played where there was not the sense of segregation,’ he said.

Stuck in time: Phil Mickelson celebrates winning the 2013 Open Championships at Muirfield where women members are not allowed

Man's world? Golf fans, including women, watch from the stands at The Open in Muirfield, Scotland

‘We would like to see if 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 were rattled by the scale of the hostility when the Open was staged at men-only Muirfield last July, and are undertaking a thorough review. ‘I think things are moving. I don’t want to put a gun to anyone’s head over it, but we would like to see it solved,’ said Morgan.

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.’

Only one future Open is scheduled for a men-only club – Royal Troon near Ayr in 2016. It will surely be the last.

Change! Ian Poulter appears frustrated at last year's Open - much like many of the sponsors