Rory McIlroy’s Olympic dilemma could be solved by the International Olympic Committee stipulating he has to play for Ireland.
In a wide-ranging interview, Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, revealed a little-known Olympic regulation that could free the Northern Irishman from having to choose between playing for Britain or Ireland at Rio in 2016, when golf rejoins the party.
‘It’s quite ambiguous but there is a rule that says where a player has represented a nation at world championship level, it carries with them,’ he said. McIlroy played for Ireland at the World Cup, a world golf championship event. ‘We would very much like to take this burden of choice away from him if we can, because it is not fair on him,’ added Dawson.
Problem solved? Rory McIlroy could be set to play for Ireland at the 2016 Olympics
Dilemma: McIlroy has been debating whether to represent Great Britain or Ireland
In an interview with Sportsmail last September, McIlroy caused a storm of controversy in Ireland by saying he felt ‘more British than Irish’. It prompted a rethink, with his most recent word on the matter raising the possibility of not playing at all. Now there might be a solution.
Dawson’s comments came during a 90-minute discussion with the nation’s golf writers on the emotive subjects of the day: anchored putting, changes to the Old Course and, of course, the vexed subject of men-only golf clubs.
A high-strength pair of standing binoculars enhances an already stunning vista from his office in the stately R&A clubhouse. But you might need the Jodrell Bank telescope to spot the possibility of women members on the far distant horizon.
Emerald Isle: McIlroy and Graeme McDowell represented Ireland at the World Cup in 2011
Torn: McIlroy thought about pulling out because he couldn't choose between GB and Ireland
The Old Course: R&A chief executive Peter Dawson
There is, though, a glimmer of hope. Dawson conceded the ‘temperature had changed’ in the light of developments at Augusta National where, at the Masters earlier this month, two women members mingled proudly in their green jackets. He talked about a ‘direction of travel’ the game is currently on.
The trouble is, at the R&A it moves with all the speed of one of those American freight trains.
On the one hand Dawson agreed that women members at Augusta was positive news for the game. So wouldn’t it be positive if it happened at the R&A, the public face of the game in this country?
Rather depressingly, he felt the need for wriggle room. ‘I suppose that is the logical extension but I would add the caveat that, while having a small amount of women members would send out some positive messaging, it wouldn’t change anything in British golf,’ he said.
‘Here the Old Course is closed on Sundays and people walk their dogs on the links or play football. At Augusta they have 20-foot high fences and 24-hour security. So you think to yourself: “Who actually provides the greater access?”’
Dawson believes the issue of men-only clubs has been badly distorted by politicians and the media. ‘On the day Augusta announced its two women members, I remember Gordon Brown opportunistically standing up and saying: “If they can do it in South Carolina why can’t they do it in Scotland?”
‘People in the game just thought to themselves: “If he can’t even be bothered to research the American state where Augusta is situated, why should anyone listen?” Comments like that are not helpful. Reasoned debate will speed up the journey.
‘I don’t think the general public realises that, of the 3,000 clubs in this country, only one per cent are single-sex clubs and there are more women-only clubs than men-only clubs. There are more women playing golf in St Andrews than in any other part of the country.
Artist's impression: Golf will be played at the Rio 2016 Olympics
He added: ‘So I think the idea we’re sending out a dreadful message by being a men-only club and taking The Open to men-only clubs is considerably overblown.’
On the equally emotive subject of putter anchoring, he couldn’t give a date on when a final decision will be made on the proposed ban. But he made clear his displeasure at the manner in which the PGA Tour and the PGA of America registered their opposition.
‘We instigated a 90-day comment period that they turned into a campaign, and that was disappointing,’ he said. ‘It put rule-making on the negotiating table, because they took a stance they will either have to back off from or maintain, and the negotiating table is not a good environment for rule making. Feelings are clearly running very high, so we will have to wait and see what happens.’
One way or another, Dawson has a busier agenda now than at any time during his 14-year tenure. There must be days when that sublime view from his office represents a blissful respite.