A new chapter for Olympic mixed-team golf event at Riviera
Golf at the Olympics is set to break new ground once again. In what promises to be one of the most exciting additions to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the International Olympic Committee has officially approved an Olympic mixed-team golf event — a format that not only brings a fresh dimension to the sport but also taps into the growing appetite for gender-inclusive competition.
For the first time in over a century, Olympic golf will feature a team-based event, marking a significant shift from the individual-focused contests that have dominated since the sport’s return to the Olympic stage at Rio 2016. The mixed-team event is set to be contested over 36 holes — two 18-hole rounds — using foursomes and fourball formats, and will take place at the iconic Riviera Country Club in between the men’s and women’s singles competitions.
With just one team permitted per nation — each consisting of one male and one female player — fans can look forward to seeing some of golf’s biggest stars pairing up in what’s expected to be a competitive yet joyful celebration of the sport’s evolving identity.
Why the Olympic mixed-team golf event matters
To understand the significance of this new addition, it helps to step back and consider how Olympic golf has changed in recent years. After a 112-year hiatus, the sport made a triumphant return in Brazil with Justin Rose capturing gold for Team GB in the men’s event and South Korea’s Inbee Park dominating the women’s field.
While the individual competitions have brought plenty of drama and memorable moments, there has long been a sense that golf’s Olympic chapter was missing something. Unlike sports such as athletics and swimming, where relays and mixed-gender events have captivated audiences, golf remained strictly solo.
That’s about to change.
The inclusion of a mixed-team format — the first since the 1904 Games in St. Louis — is a statement of intent. It’s not just about adding variety; it’s about showcasing the collaborative side of a sport so often viewed through an individualistic lens.
“We’re excited to bring even more attention to our sport through this additional format,” said Antony Scanlon, executive director of the International Golf Federation. “The athletes were very enthusiastic about their desire to play with their compatriots, and we look forward to watching them compete together in Los Angeles.”
How the format will work
Unlike standard four-day stroke play tournaments on the PGA and LPGA Tours, the Olympic mixed-team golf event will condense the action into two high-octane rounds. The first round will be a foursomes format — also known as alternate shot — where each player hits every other shot. It’s a format that requires strategy, synchronicity, and trust.
The second round will switch to fourball, in which both players play their own ball on each hole, and the best score on each hole counts toward the team total.
This setup offers a perfect blend: one day where chemistry is everything, followed by a day where individual excellence can still shine through. And with only one team per nation, the stakes will be high — national pride, Olympic history, and the chance to stand atop the podium together.
Building on a foundation of enthusiasm
The announcement has already been met with a wave of positivity from within the golfing world. With athletes expressing enthusiasm for a chance to team up with their fellow countrymen and women, the anticipation is building for a competition that promises to be both technically compelling and emotionally resonant.
It’s not hard to see why. For many, representing their country is the pinnacle of their sporting careers — but doing so alongside a trusted compatriot adds an entirely new layer of meaning. And in a sport that often requires steely focus and mental solitude, this team element offers a refreshing twist.
Moreover, the timing couldn’t be better. The past decade has seen a growing number of mixed-team events outside of the Olympics, including the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour and the Scandinavian Mixed on the DP World Tour, co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour. These tournaments have shown that fans enjoy the dynamic — and that athletes rise to the occasion when given the chance to compete side-by-side.
Golf joins Olympic push for gender balance
The LA 2028 Games are being hailed as a landmark moment for gender equality in sport. The mixed-team golf competition is one of six new mixed-gender events approved for the Games, joining athletics’ 4x100m relay, gymnastics, coastal rowing beach sprint, table tennis, and archery.
The move is part of a wider effort by the IOC to ensure a more balanced representation of men and women across events, not just in participation but also in visibility and prestige. Mixed events create opportunities for both male and female athletes to share the spotlight — and in sports like golf, where TV coverage often skews heavily male, this could mark a turning point.
And in Los Angeles, a city with deep ties to both sporting excellence and entertainment, the stage is set for the mixed-team format to shine. From the rolling fairways of Riviera to the world’s TV screens, it’s a chance to showcase not just great golf, but great storytelling.
A star-studded affair in the making
While it’s too early to predict exactly which players will represent their countries in the mixed-team event, the possibilities are tantalising. Imagine a Spanish team of Jon Rahm and Carlota Ciganda, a USA duo of Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, or a British pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Charley Hull. The chemistry, the drama, and the narrative threads are all there.
And don’t discount the emotional pull of Olympic medals. In 2016, Justin Rose famously called his gold medal the greatest achievement of his career. In Paris 2024, Tommy Fleetwood fought valiantly for silver in a competition that brought fresh prestige to the Olympic golf narrative.
Come 2028, the chance to win gold — together — will only amplify that feeling.
Looking ahead: what LA 2028 means for golf
The Olympic mixed-team golf event at LA 2028 is more than just a novelty. It’s a testbed for the future of the sport on a global stage. If the event captures the imagination of fans and players alike, it could open the door to more frequent team competitions — both in and out of Olympic competition.
And it may even influence the way younger generations approach the game. For young girls and boys watching from around the world, seeing men and women competing together, on equal footing, for the same prize, sends a powerful message about the inclusive future of sport.
Riviera will provide the setting. The athletes will bring the story. And golf, in its own quiet way, might just steal the show in Los Angeles.
