Rory McIlroy has warned “something needs to give” with the golf calendar with the 2028 LA Olympics scheduled to start during Wimbledon – and before the Open.
Golf only returned to the Olympics in 2016 but huge crowds at Le Golf National for the first two rounds have shown the sport’s popularity. But the next Games are set to clash with two biggest events of the British sporting summer with the Los Angeles event scheduled to start on Friday July 14 – the date of this year’s Wimbledon final.
The Open at Royal Troon only began on July 18 and ended 11 days before the Olympic golf competition. “I think from what I’ve read, 2028 in L.A. is going to be much more of a headache than this one was. But maybe the world of golf looks a little different then.”
Asked if the Open might be after the Olympics, the Ulsterman added: “I don’t think you can. It will be the second week of Wimbledon which you can’t do, either. There’s so many golf tournaments and not enough weeks in the calendar. Something needs to give.”
Talks are ongoing between the PGA and DP World Tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund – the owners of LIV Golf – over a new deal for golf.
The Olympic golf events currently include 60 players – the women’s event starts on Thursday August 8 – playing 72-hole strokeplay. There is talk of a mixed team event but that would also have to be fitted into the schedule.
McIlroy did not play in Rio in 2026 and missed out on a bronze medal in a seven-man playoff in Tokyo during Covid.
The four-time Major winner, who is representing Ireland in France, has been wowed by the French fervour for golf. “It’s a great atmosphere to play in. It’s awesome, just the enthusiasm of the crowd is great.
“They have had the Ryder Cup and that was a huge success. And then Tokyo with COVID and everything. So feels like this is the first proper go-around that golf has got in the Games, and it’s amazing to see such a great turnout.”
Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood shared the halfway lead with Hideki Matsuyama and defending champion Xander Schauffele with McIlroy starting the third round six shots back
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