Golfer secures Olympic spot

Laetitia Beck has become the latest Israeli to qualify for next month’s Olympic Games – taking the country’s delegation to a record 47 athletes.

Taking part in the Games first golf tournament after a 112-year absence, the Belgian-born, the 24-year-old has won the Israeli Open Golf Championship five times – the first when she was 12, and also won gold at both the 2009 and 2013 Maccabiah Games.

The only LPGA player from Israel, debuting on the tour in December 2014, she said: “I’m very excited to be participating in the Olympics. It has always been a dream of mine to represent Israel in the highest level. I feel honored to be given this opportunity and I’m sure it will be a week I will never forget.

“Thank you to all those who have supported me on and off the course. I’m forever grateful.”

Telling ESPN how she is proud of her heritage, Beck, who always wears a Star of David necklace and symbol on her golf bag, she said: “I’m not too religious, it’s more about the culture than religion. On the high holy days I’ll go to temple.”

She missed out on a college tournament back in 2001 due to it clashing with Yom Kippur, and keeps Kosher on tour.