Byeong Hun An says change he’s heard many want made to the Olympic golf event would be ‘almost impossible’

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It is remarkable to think of how far the Olympic golf event has already come in the eight years since it returned to the Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Of course, many will never forget the sight of Scottie Scheffler in tears at Le Golf National after winning the gold medal at this year’s Olympics. Scheffler produced a stunning performance on the back nine to rise up the leaderboard and secure yet another win.

It is a far cry from the Olympics of 2016 where it seemed that a number of players had little interest in getting involved. And even in 2021, the impact of the global pandemic meant that golf’s potential as an Olympic sport was still not clear.

Now there is great hope for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. And it seems that some would like to see a new format at Riviera. Some have suggested that there should be a mixed team event at the Olympics.

Byeong Hun An raises concern about the Olympic Games format

It would allow the Olympics to stand out further, given that the large majority of the PGA Tour season is spent playing 72 holes of individual strokeplay over four days.

But taking to X, world number 25 Byeong Hun An has explained why he is not sure that a mixed event could be added to the schedule.

The potential pairings fans could see at the Olympics if a mixed event is introduced

It almost counted against the mixed event that the Games were so successful in 2024. Certainly, the men’s event provided so much drama, with Jon Rahm blowing a four-shot lead at one stage down the back nine on Sunday.

If there is indeed only room for one event, it is likely to remain the same in four years.

But clearly, it could be hugely beneficial for the game if the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, Charley Hull and Tommy Fleetwood, and Leona Maguire and Rory McIlroy could team up in an event. Certainly, it seemed that the pairings had a lot of fun during the recent Grant Thornton Invitational.

Obviously, the stakes are considerably higher in the Olympics, but there is perhaps an opportunity to really capture the imagination of a much wider audience.