A source with knowledge of the financial intricacies of the deal that brought the Open to The Hills said finance was the major sticking point in the debate over the tournament's future.
Money was "at the root" of the dispute between Hill and promoter Bob Tuohy, and money was the only reason New Zealand Golf would consider shifting the tournament to Christchurch's Clearwater club.
The Hills was seen as a fantastic venue - superior to Clearwater - and many people in the golfing community would be delighted if the Open found a permanent home in Arrowtown.
"But the reality is that Michael Hill is just not prepared to put in enough money," the source said.
It is believed Hill underwrote the 2007 Open, the first to be played at his course, to the tune of $1.2 million. His contribution dropped to $500,000 this year, the source said.
The tournament budget was about $3 million, and it was understood Tuohy wanted Hill to provide a third.
The source said Hill's plea for public and government support for the tournament was "a decoy" to avoid paying extra for the Open to stay at The Hills.
Both Hill and Tuohy were "stroppy characters" but The Hills would be preferred as the Open venue if the funding fell into place.
Hill has said he does not want to have naming rights any longer for the Open but he does want more say in how it is run.
Hills general manager Sam Gent told the Mountain Scene newspaper Hill had spent more than $3 million on the tournament over three years, including $250,000 to groom the course for each tournament.
While Hill's plea for council or public assistance to keep the Open has not yet struck paydirt, the Christchurch City Council is believed to be prepared to help Clearwater gain hosting rights.
The council contributed to the New Zealand Women's Open, held at neighbouring Pegasus and promoted by Tuohy, this year.
The Otago Daily Times source said Clearwater was one of a dwindling number of courses equipped to host the Open.
Gulf Harbour was inaccessible and unpopular with players, Paraparaumu had issues with parking, practice areas and proximity to an airport, and Cape Kidnappers was too isolated to be taken seriously.
Clearwater ticked all the infrastructure boxes but was "unappealing", and taking the Open there would be "pretty disastrous".
