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Rose: End men-only clubs

Gleneagles - Britain's Justin Rose, excited on the eve of his first Ryder Cup on European soil, called Thursday for an end to men-only clubs hosting British Opens.

Sixth-ranked Rose, the 2013 US Open winner, said he hopes to see change soon at such all-male bastions as Muirfield, Royal St. Georges and Royal Troon - all on the host rotation for the British Open.

"Clubs somewhat have the right to do whatever they want to do, but then that maybe limits them from what they can host and their position potentially to the world," Rose said.

"There's definitely a situation where if you're going to host such high-profile events, you need to conform a little bit more with what's acceptable in the mainstream society."

Rose's comments add to the pressure on the clubs in the wake of last week's decision by the Royal and Ancient Golf club to accept women members for the first time in its 260-year history.

America's Augusta National, home of the Masters, admitted its first women members after 80 years, naming former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore in 2012.

Rose will enjoy his first Ryder Cup home support at Gleneagles after serving as a silencer to US spectators in 2008 and 2012, going 6-3 with two singles wins over five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, winning the last two holes for a crucial 1-up triumph two years ago at Medinah in Europe's epic victory.

"Absolutely delighted to play a home Ryder Cup," Rose said. "I can't wait to sense the environment after playing well.

"Knowing that in the palm of your hand, let's say with a putter, you have the ability to light up a crowd in a situation, that's exhilarating and obviously I can't wait to experience that. But my goal is just to create those opportunities, to put my game in a position and put my golf ball in a position where I can make that happen."

The 34-year-old Englishman says he can tell when there is a television rerun of his role in Europe's "Miracle at Medinah."

"Every time I log on to Twitter, I know if there's been a replay because my phone blows up," Rose said. "So I always know when other people are watching it, too, which is fun."

Rose said that being under the radar could help him compared to top-ranked Rory McIlroy and 2012 Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter - two players targeted by US rivals.

"It could well help me," Rose said. "It probably frees up my mind to focus on the task and the job at hand. I think the fact that Rory and Poulter are targeted might help them, too. That's the way we're hoping it will play out, anyway."

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