NORTHALLERTON has produced yet another Olympian as golfer Jodi Ewart Shadoff has been picked for Team GB.

Jodi's success means she is the fourth athlete from Northallerton representing the country in Tokyo this summer; joining runner Marc Scott, shot-putter Scott Lincoln and para-rower Laurence Whiteley.

Jodi, who has racked up 24 career top ten finishes on the fiercely competitive LPGA Tour, said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to swoop on the high-profile absences of top British golfers Charley Hull and Georgia Hall at this summer’s Games.

Reid and Hull were the two female golfers to qualify through the rankings but Reid, the world number 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 number 53 took the same decision as Hull – citing similar reasons – and turned down a spot on the plane.

Jodi, ranked 32 places below Hall, was suddenly catapulted into contention and the Northallerton ace says she did not 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.

The Northern Echo:

“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 for several decades until the Rio Games in 2016.

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.”

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

The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be watched live on discovery+.

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