Golf has had a huge resurgence of popularity in the last few years and the sport has made a welcome return to golf at the Olympics as part of that.
The 2024 event in Paris was a huge success for golf as Scottie Scheffler beat out Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama to the gold medal.
On the women’s side of the game, the impressive Lydia Ko took the gold with a stunning performance of her own.
Of course, we’re seeing the LPGA continue to grow and this weekend’s Grant Thornton Invitational was another way of showcasing what can be done when we see mixed pairings.
Now, though, the success of these mixed events could see golf make a push to get the format in as part of the Olympics in 2028.
Executive director of the International Golf Federation Anthony Scanlon has admitted a proposal has been submitted to the powers that be in the Olympics to bring a mixed event to Los Angeles.
And over on social media, fans have been reacting to the news.
Golf fans react as mixed team events could be part of 2028 Olympics
As always on social media, any sort of talking point or major update to the golfing schedule has been met with differing reactions.
But in the main, it looks like the idea of seeing a mixed team event in the summer games is something that would be welcomed.
One fan suggested that golf could even work like swimming, with multiple categories for medals.
While another backer of the idea suggested we could see a Ryder Cup type feel in the event.
Going into more detail, @_Sweetchuck suggested the format could follow something already seen on the NCAA circuit.
“Follow the NCAA championship format. A singles format leading to the team match play.”
While @Johnnypete552 suggested that LIV Golf is having an impact by driving more team events.
“Seems like team golf is catching on. The LIV effect.”
Another backer was @code3ryder, who suggested we need more mixed golf in the game in general.
“We need way more mixed golf tourneys.”
How would the mixed event work at the Olympics?
Explaining the detail behind the proposed format, the aforementioned Scanlon explained to NBC just how it might pan out.
“What we’ll do is have the men start on the Wednesday, and play through till Saturday, similar to the women’s. Then the following Sunday we’d have the fourballs and foursomes, 36 hole event. Then winners get medals, and two days later on the Wednesday, the women’s competition would start and finish,” Scanlon said.
Adding further credence to how teams would be picked, it would be left down to the Olympic committees to do so, meaning if Team USA had eight players across the male and female teams, they’d need to select two from each to compete.
It certainly feels like a win for golf and the Olympics in general and would definitely bring more excitement to the table.
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