JODI EWART SHADOFF admits it was a total "no-brainer" to swoop on Charley Hull and Georgia Hall’s high-profile absences at this summer’s Olympics and book a dream Games debut in Tokyo.

Northallerton star Shadoff was officially selected in a four-pronged Team GB golf side on Tuesday alongside Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey and Mel Reid.

Reid and Hull were the two female golfers to qualify through the rankings but Reid, the world No.36, "reluctantly" decided not to travel to Japan owing to "scheduling and travel challenges".

That meant Hall, the 2018 Open champion, was next in line but the world No.53 took the same decision as Hull – citing similar reasons – and turned down a spot on the plane.

Shadoff, ranked 32 places below Hall, was suddenly catapulted into contention and the North Yorkshire star says she didn’t need to think twice about flying her country’s flag.

The 33-year-old said: “I first heard about a week ago that Charlie wasn’t going, and the next day I heard Georgia wasn’t.

“I realised I was next on the list and got a phone call asking if I would go, which was a no-brainer.

“As an athlete, [the Olympics] is something I’ve always watched growing up and always wanted to be a part of it – but as golf was never part of it and it was never really an option.

“Since golf has been added, it’s always been a goal of mine to make the team and it’s an honour to represent Team GB. I’m very proud.”

Golf featured as an Olympic sport at the 1900 and 1904 Games in Paris and St Louis but did not appear again until Rio 2016.

South Korean star Inbee Park scooped the prestigious gold medal in Brazil while Briton Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, soared to glory on the men’s side ahead of Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar.

Shadoff swapped Northallerton for North America several years ago and married husband Adam Shadoff, a TV sports anchor and reporter, in Florida in 2013.

On the course, she finished runner-up at the 2017 Open after tying for fourth at the US equivalent four years earlier.

She’s racked up 24 career top ten finishes on the fiercely competitive LPGA Tour and after years of hard graft on the globetrotting circuit, her place at the Olympics is secure.

Proud Shadoff, whose Team GB exploits in Tokyo will be broadcast live on Eurosport and discovery+, added: “Just being in the Olympic village and around all these amazing athletes from around the world, I’ll feel really starstruck and it will be quite the experience.

“I’ve always watched it growing up and having this opportunity to represent Team GB is an honour. Getting the kit will be another proud moment and I’m very excited for it.”

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