Report: Golf to get a spot in the 2024 Olympic program

Golf appears set to remain a part of the Olympic program for at least two more Games.

The Guardian reported Monday that the International Olympic Committee is expected to include golf in the 2024 program. The IOC is set to meet early in 2017 to go over last summer’s Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and discuss the possiblity of changing what sports are included.

When golf was admitted to the Olympic program in 2009, the sport was assured it would be in the 2016 and ’20 Games. However, its future beyond ’20 was pointedly uncertain, dependent upon how the sport was received in Rio after a 112-year absence. Despite concerns from potential participants, particularly male golfers, over the spread of Zika virus, the tournaments both proved compelling, attendance and ticket sales were strong and television ratings were affirming of interest in golf as an Olympic sport.

Justin Rose won the gold medal in the men’s competition, holding off Henrik Stenson on the 72nd hole at the Gil Hanse-designed, purpose-built course. Matt Kuchar finished a delighted third with a final-round charge.

In the women’s competition, Inbee Park played an inspired tournament, dominating to win a gold medal that could be seen as a potential capstone on her career. World No. 1 Lydia Ko earned silver, and China’s Shanshan Feng won bronze.

It’s unclear if the format of the golf competitions will change for 2020 in Tokyo or beyond, with the 72-hole stroke-play format panned by many as defaulting to the same tournament style fans see most every week of the season. There had been calls for a match-play component that could also include some kind of country-based team competition.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.