LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (Monday, 8 December 2025) – Golf is entering a transformative chapter, one that aligns perfectly with the Olympic spirit of unity, equality, and excellence. Two events stand at the forefront of this evolution: the Mixed-Team Event golf competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the Grant Thornton Invitational, returning December 12-14 in Naples, Florida. Both tournaments are more than sporting contests—they are statements about the future of golf and its role in promoting inclusivity.

The LA28 Mixed-Team Event marks a historic milestone for Olympic golf. Since its return to the Games in 2016, golf has adhered to a traditional format with men and women competing separately. In 2028, that changes dramatically with the introduction of a mixed-team competition, the first Olympic team golf event since 1904. Each team will feature one male and one female golfer from the same nation, playing two rounds at the iconic Riviera Country Club. The Mixed-Team Event will be contested as a 36-hole competition – 18 holes of four-ball (best ball) for the first round followed by 18 holes of foursomes (alternate shot) for the final round. This addition means golfers will now compete for three sets of medals—men’s individual, women’s individual, and mixed-team—making golf one of the most medal-rich sports in the Olympic program.

How the LA28 Mixed-Team Golf Event Will Work
The Mixed-Team Event will feature pairs composed of one male and one female player from the same National Olympic Committee. Each NOC will be allowed to enter one mixed team, provided they have qualified athletes in both the men’s and women’s individual events. The competition will take place at the prestigious Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, scheduled between the men’s and women’s individual events. This positioning ensures maximum visibility and creates a unique showcase for golf during the Games.

This innovation reflects the core Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence. It is a celebration of gender equality, offering men and women equal visibility and opportunity on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Mixed team play also brings a unique dimension to golf, showcasing the sport’s versatility and strategic depth. It demands communication, adaptability, and interaction—qualities that resonate with the collaborative spirit of the Games. For fans, it creates compelling narratives: national pride expressed through teamwork and partnerships that transcend individual achievement.

While LA28 represents the future, the Grant Thornton Invitational is the present-day proof of concept. Scheduled for December 12–14, 2025, at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, this event pairs LPGA, and PGA TOUR professionals into 16 mixed teams for three thrilling rounds. The format is designed for excitement: scramble on day one, alternate shot on day two, and modified four-ball on the final day. The tournament underscores its commitment to equity and collaboration.

The 2025 field is stacked with talent and personality. Fans will see Lydia Ko teaming up with Jason Day, Nelly Korda alongside Denny McCarthy, Lilia Vu paired with Tony Finau, Brooke Henderson with Corey Conners, and Rose Zhang with Michael Kim. These pairings represent seven countries and a combined 137 career victories, including multiple major champions. The chemistry between partners and the strategic interplay of mixed formats make this event one of the most compelling on the calendar.

Both LA28 and the Grant Thornton Invitational share a common mission to make golf more inclusive, engaging, and innovative. They challenge outdated norms, create new opportunities for fan engagement, and open doors for commercial partnerships that thrive on storytelling and diversity. Most importantly, they embody the Olympic ideal of bringing people together through sport, proving that golf can be a powerful platform for equality and unity.

The success of the Grant Thornton Invitational suggests that fans and players are ready for change. LA28 could be the tipping point that propels golf into a new era—one where collaboration, equality, and creativity take center stage. These events remind us that golf’s greatest strength lies not only in its traditions but in its ability to adapt and inspire.

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About the International Golf Federation

The International Golf Federation (IGF) was founded in 1958 and is the recognised International Federation within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The headquarters of the IGF is located by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland