Tommy Fleetwood echoes Jon Rahm after LIV Golf star demands change to Olympic event

Tommy Fleetwood is enthusiastic about the potential expansion of golf’s role in the Olympic Games as he prepares for his second appearance representing Team Great Britain at this week’s event. Fleetwood, who will be competing alongside Matt Fitzpatrick at Le Golf National in Paris, is eager to pursue gold for his nation. The duo’s participation highlights the growing significance of golf in the Olympics since its return to the Games.

Golf made its Olympic comeback in 2016 after a hiatus of over a century. Since then, Fleetwood has participated in two of the three Olympic golf tournaments held, including the current one in Paris. The men’s golf event at the Olympics follows a 72-hole stroke play format, a tradition that has been in place since golf’s return. However, there have been ongoing discussions about adding a team event to the Olympic golf schedule. A mixed team format, incorporating both men and women, has been suggested as a potential addition for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Fleetwood has expressed his support for such changes, emphasizing that more opportunities for medals would be beneficial. “More opportunities for a medal are always better,” he remarked, reflecting on the idea of introducing a team golf event. “The more chances there are, the better, really. If there’s an opportunity to try something new and potentially win a medal, I would be very interested in exploring that. It could be a fantastic idea, and I would love to experience it if the chance arises.”

Fleetwood’s sentiments are echoed by Jon Rahm, who is also in Paris representing Spain alongside David Puig. Rahm, a former Masters champion, has voiced his enthusiasm for a team format in the Olympic golf competition. He expressed a desire to participate in a team event, stating, “I would love to play alongside a partner or in a combined format. It would be wonderful to represent Spain in that way, sharing the stage with another player and doing something different from what we do on a daily basis.”

Rahm also advocates for greater flexibility in the selection process for Olympic golfers. He believes that each nation should have the autonomy to choose its Olympic representatives rather than being restricted by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). This perspective is particularly relevant given that several LIV Golf players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith, did not qualify for the Paris Games due to the current ranking system.

The potential changes to Olympic golf, including the introduction of a team event and a more flexible selection process, are topics of significant interest among players like Fleetwood and Rahm. Both golfers are keen to see how these adjustments could enhance the Olympic experience and provide new opportunities for athletes in the sport. As the golf community looks ahead to future Olympic Games, the possibility of these reforms continues to generate excitement and anticipation.