GOLF: Jordanstown's Stephanie Meadow gets late call-up for Rio Games

Anne Van Dam and Christel Boeljon made the list of 60 golfers eligible for Brazil but did not meet the Dutch Olympic Committee’s qualifying criteria that they be in the world’s top 100. Meadow was one of the next two golfers on the reserve list.

Revealing her delight at being handed a spot at the Games, the 24-year-old tweeted: “Pretty pumped I’ll be representing Ireland in the Olympics.”

Meadow started playing at the age of seven at Ballyclare Golf Club. She only turned professional in 2014, and it was not long before she made an impression on the golfing world, finishing an impressive third at the US Women’s Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Securing a place at the Games will provide a real boost for the rising East Antrim star, who has struggled for form over the past year following the death of her father.

When the news broke that Meadow was bound for Rio, local people took to social media to express their support for the young golfer.

One person on Love Ballyclare’s Facebook page posted: “We’re proud of you Stephanie. Good luck and enjoy.”

Fellow professional golfer Paul McGinley tweeted: “Delighted to confirm that Stephanie Meadow has now qualified to represent Ireland ladies @OlympicGolf.”