Nelly Korda shares what ‘always’ happens to women’s golf at the Olympics and she wants a change made

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Nelly Korda’s Olympic campaign is underway after the American carded an even-par 72 on day one at Le Golf National.

The world number one is looking to land back-to-back gold medals after her triumph in Tokyo three years ago. French star Céline Boutier is the pacesetter after carding a seven-under 65.

Korda is part of a three-pronged American team looking to emulate Scottie Scheffler’s recent success at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue.

Before Thursday’s first round, Korda set out her Olympic aim and offered a very similar answer to Scheffler the week prior.

Nelly Korda wants change to Olympic golf schedule

• READ MORE: All you need to know about the women’s Olympic golf event at Le Golf National

Much of the talk during the games has centred around whether the traditional 72-hole format is the best option. There have even been suggestions of a mixed event for the 2028 Los Angeles games.

Korda has now highlighted one significant change she wants to make to the scheduling of the women’s competition.

“I’ll have been sad to miss the opening ceremonies,” Korda told Vogue. “The men are the first week, and the women are always the second week, and the women miss the opening ceremony [as a result.] I feel like every other Olympics, they should switch us.”

Nelly Korda could be involved in mixed-team event with Scottie Scheffler in Los Angeles

• READ MORE: All you need to know about Le Golf National, home of the Olympics and 2018 Ryder Cup

Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood both agreed that a mixed-team event would be welcomed in four years, and the prospect of the men’s and women’s games coming together in an Olympic environment is undoubtedly exciting.

But, for such a competition to come to fruition, alterations to the current golfing schedule will have to be made. If a mixed event is also to take place, players will have to take two weeks out of their season to compete.

And for some, that would feel unlikely.

Xander Schauffele suggested that having a two-week event before the PGA Tour playoffs could be an issue, and it’s hard to disagree with the Open Championship winner. The only feasible way for another Olympic event to take place would be to push back the PGA Tour finale by at least two weeks.