The 2024 Olympic golf events are now over for another four years, and Rick Shiels is desperate for changes to be made in Los Angeles.
Scottie Scheffler and Lydia Ko were victorious at Le Golf National in front of extremely enthusiastic crowds.
The Olympic format was much like a traditional PGA or LPGA Tour event, with four rounds of 72 holes used to decide the winner.
And YouTube star Shiels thinks the organisers are missing a trick.
Rick Shiels wants two new events added at the 2024 Olympic games
The Englishman has been vocal throughout the tournament. Shiels wanted caddies to be from the same country and also suggested a long-drive competition should be an Olympic sport, something Bryson DeChambeau would no doubt love.
Shiels has now doubled down on his long-drive idea and also claimed that a mixed event should be introduced.
“I do think there should be more mixed events in LA next year,” said Shiels (Rick Shiels Golf Podcast). “There has to be more disciplines.”
Shiels also claimed there was a lot of interest in his long-drive suggestion.
“On the comments there was a lot of people in agreement that long drive should be in the Olympics,” he added. “There should be mixed doubles. There should be team elements.”
Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood also in agreement about mixed-team event
Shiels’ mixed-event suggestion has also been supported by several high-profile professionals.
Tommy Fleetwood wants a mixed format at the 2028 games, as does world number one Scheffler.
It’s something the powers above should consider after the success of the Paris event. Match-play provides the most enthralling moments and perhaps adding a new format would increase interest from the casual fan.
Golf needs new fans to continually emerge, and the Olympics is the perfect opportunity to hook a new generation of support.
The two weeks of golf in Paris will undoubtedly give the sport a huge boost moving forward.
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