In October of 2009, the International Olympic Committee voted to have golf at the 2016 games in Rio, Brazil. For the first time in 112 years, the best players in the world would be put on a global stage with the ability to compete for something modern golfers have never had a chance to — a gold medal.
Not Jack, not Arnold, not Gary, nor Tiger have ever had a chance to compete for Olympic fame.
Despite the opportunity, many of the world’s best players withdrew from the games citing the Zika virus as the reason for concern. Then World No. 1 Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Jordan Spieth are just some of the stars who decided against donning their national colors.
The good thing for golf: The eventual medal winners on both the men’s and women’s sides were fantastic. Justin Rose took home gold as Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar stood on the other two steps of the podium. Inbee Park won the women’s event, while Lydia Ko grabbed silver.
After a delay due to COVID-19, the game’s best made their way to Tokyo earlier this year. This time around, the Americans swept gold. Xander Schauffele and Nelly Korda added to their already impressive resumes, hanging a little bling in their trophy cases.
Despite the incredible result, the events fell a bit flat.
I’m not sure if it was the time difference, the golf course, the weak field outside of the top several names, it just lacked some juice. The simple fix: Change the format.
Create a mixed event
Imagine Xander Schauffele and Nelly Korda teeing it up as a pair. Or Danielle Kang and Collin Morikawa. Or Rory McIlroy and Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire. How fun would that be?
We’ve seen mixed pairs before. Bubba Watson and Lexi Thompson just played together at the QBE Shootout earlier this month.
Bubba Watson of the United States and Lexi Thompson of the United States celebrate their birdie on the 14th green during the second round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on December 11, 2021, in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Like we see with the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, the format could differ depending on the day. Thursday: Four-ball. Friday: Foursomes. Alternating between the two throughout the weekend until winners are crowned Sunday afternoon.
Golf fans have long pondered the idea of having mixed events on the schedule on an annual basis. Watching Ko and Spieth battle down the stretch on a Summer Sunday would be as good as it gets.
National pairings
What does everyone love about the Ryder and Solheim Cups? Two players from the same country, rooting and playing for each other, and displaying an intensity we don’t see every week. Why not do the same thing in the Olympics?
Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth of team United States celebrate after defeating Team Europe 19 to 9 during Sunday Singles Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Like a mixed-event format, alternating from Four-ball and Foursomes would create an incredible product for the Olympics.
The venue for the 2024 Olympic games is Le Golf National, and if that name rings familiar it should, as it hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup. One can only hope that in the next few years we see a shift in the format.
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