Stephanie Meadow opts to represent Ireland at Olympics

Stephanie Meadow is a former British Amateur champion

Stephanie Meadow has announced she wants to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Like fellow Northern Ireland golfers Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, Meadow could choose to play for Great Britain or Ireland.

McIlroy and McDowell have already said they will represent Ireland.

Meadow, 22, turned professional last month and has made a sensational start to her career, finishing third at the US Women's Open at Pinehurst.

Former British Amateur champion Meadow said on Twitter: "I have decided to join Rory McIlroy in representing Ireland in the Olympics. Early decision but had a deadline to choose."

Meadow, who is from Jordanstown in County Antrim, followed her US Women's Open performance by finishing joint-third at the European Masters, thanks to a course record-equalling 63 at Buckinghamshire.

However, she missed the cut at this week's Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale.

At the Olympics, there will be men's and women's individual 72-hole strokeplay tournaments, with 60 players in each.

Golf is being played at the Games for the first time since 1904.