Four golfers have been selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Paul Casey, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Tommy Fleetwood and Mel Reid will each make their Olympic debuts when they tee off at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
The quartet will vie to emulate countryman Justin Rose, who took gold in the men’s event on golf’s return to the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 after a 112-year absence.
Since turning professional in 2000, Casey has recorded 15 European Tour wins – most recently in January 2021 – and three on the PGA TOUR. The current World Number 20 has represented Europe four times in the Ryder Cup, recording three victories over the United States in the biennial contest.
Ewart Shadoff is a three-time Solheim Cup player, marking her debut in Europe’s 2013 victory over the United States with two wins from three matches. Two further appearances followed in 2017 and the home victory at Gleneagles in 2019. She finished runner up in the 2017 Women’s British Open for her best finish in a Major championship.
Five-time European Tour winner Fleetwood was crowned European Number One in 2017, finishing ahead of reigning Olympic champion Rose. He went on to make a memorable debut in the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, winning four points out of five.
Reid secured her first LPGA win in 2020, adding to her six victories on the Ladies European Tour. She has represented Europe three times in the Solheim Cup, in 2011, 2015 and 2017, helping Europe to victory on her debut and securing an impressive 2.5 points from three two years later. She made her debut as vice-captain for the 2019 victory at Gleneagles.
Team GB Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission, Mark England said; “It is great to welcome golf back to Team GB following a successful re-introduction to the Olympic programme in Rio. In Paul, Tommy, Mel and Jodi we have four fantastic ambassadors for their sport and the Olympic movement and I am sure they will embrace the Olympic Games and environment as we saw Justin Rose and the team do five years ago in Rio.
“I look forward to watching them all compete in Tokyo in just a few weeks’ time.”
Team GB Golf Team Leader, Nigel Edwards, said: “I’m delighted to have such a strong team of golf athletes travelling to Tokyo to represent Team GB. I know that Paul, Jodi, Tommy and Mel are incredibly excited to make their debuts in the Olympics and are looking forward to embracing the experience. After a memorable return for golf at Rio 2016, our Team GB athletes are relishing the opportunity to continue the sport’s Olympic renaissance.”
The Olympic golf competition consists of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. Casey and Fleetwood will compete in the men’s event from July 29 to August 1, with Ewart Shadoff and Reid in action in the women’s event from August 4 – August 7.
Courtesy of Team GB
