Golf is experiencing a quiet yet profound transformation. A sport historically tied to centuries-old traditions is beginning to rewrite its narrative through equality and collaboration. In this context, two initiatives stand out as symbols of change: the debut of the mixed team golf event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, and the consolidation of the Grant Thornton Invitational as a competitive laboratory for this new era.
Both events, different in nature—one Olympic, the other professional—share a common vision: to show that golf can evolve without losing its essence. Beyond sporting spectacle, they represent a new way of telling the game, connecting with values that now permeate the Olympic Movement and global sport.
The Olympic debut of mixed team golf at LA28
The Los Angeles 2028 Mixed Team Tournament will mark a turning point in the history of Olympic golf. Since its return to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016, the sport had remained faithful to the individual format, with separate competitions for men and women. At LA28, that boundary is blurred with the introduction of the first Olympic team golf event since 1904, bringing together in a single competition one male and one female golfer from the same country.
The competition will be held at the iconic Riviera Country Club and will consist of 36 holes played across two formats that demand understanding and shared strategy. The opening round will use the four-ball (best ball) system, followed by a final round of foursomes (alternate shot). This design not only expands the sporting challenge, but also allows athletes to compete for three sets of medals, positioning golf among the sports with the greatest prominence on the Olympic programme.
The Grant Thornton Invitational as a preview of the future
While LA28 projects the horizon, the Grant Thornton Invitational offers a tangible example of how mixed golf works in practice. Scheduled from 12 to 14 December 2025 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, the tournament brings together stars from the PGA TOUR and the LPGA in 16 mixed teams, embracing dynamic formats that prioritise interaction and competitive creativity.
The event stands out both for its structure and the talent it attracts. Pairings such as Lydia Ko alongside Jason Day, Nelly Korda with Denny McCarthy, or Lilia Vu teamed with Tony Finau reflect not only sporting excellence, but also cultural diversity and complementary playing styles. With representatives from seven countries and a collective résumé that includes multiple Grand Slam titles, the tournament becomes a stage where chemistry and communication carry as much weight as individual technique.
