"I think, because Rory's history [is] of playing for Ireland at amateur level and I think at World Cup level, that there may be a regulation within the Olympic rules that would require him to stay with that," said Dawson

"It's quite ambiguous really but there is a rule that a player who has represented one nation at a previous World Championships from certain countries, that carries with you."

McIlroy's decision as to whether he represents Britain or Ireland at Rio 2016 has been much publicised, and Dawson claimed that the world number two is feeling the pressure as a result.

"I would very much like to take this burden of choice away from the player if we can possibly do it because it's not fair to him." he said.

Rory McIlroy may have no choice but to represent Ireland at Rio 2016, according to R&A chief Peter Dawson

"I think he's made it pretty clear in one or two pronouncements that he's worried about it and the last thing we want is players worrying about this."

But, under the Olympic Charter, McIlroy would probably be eligible to represent Britain at Rio 2016 if he wanted too, as long as he did not play for Ireland again in the meantime. 

The Charter says: "A competitor who has represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships...and who has changed his nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Olympic Games to represent his new country provided that at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented his former country."

The 23-year-old - who lost his status as the world's top ranked player to Tiger Woods last month - represented Ireland in his youth but holds a British passport.

He had previously stated that the controversy surrounding his decision as to which nation he would represent in Rio could lead him to not competing at all as "not to offend anyone".

McIlroy was inundated with abuse on social-networking sites and received heavy criticism in the Irish media after he seemed to imply that he was favouring a move to represent Great Britain in Rio.

'What makes it such an awful position to be in is I have grown up my whole life playing for Ireland under the Golfing Union of Ireland umbrella,' he said in September last year

'But the fact is, I've always felt more British than Irish.

"Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don't know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland.

"And so I have to weigh that up against the fact that I've always played for Ireland and so it is tough.

"Whatever I do, I know my decision is going to upset some people but I just hope the vast majority will understand."

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Related stories:
January 2013: Irish golfer Harrington calls for IOC to intervene in McIlroy Olympic dilemma
January 2013: McIlroy may miss Rio 2016 to avoid row over which country he represents
October 2012: Exclusive: "Misquoted" Hickey clarifies comments over McIlroy role at Rio 2016
October 2012: McIlroy can carry flag at Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony if he represents Ireland, says Hickey
September 2012: McIlroy claims he still has to make a decision on who to play for at Rio 2016