We are learning further details that Polish-born powerhouse golfer Adrian Meronk actually made-up his mind he wanted to join LIV Golf the very next day after being overlooked for 2023 European Ryder Cup team selection.
It was September 3rd, 2023 when European captain Luke Donald announced his full Rome side, and with Donald revealing that day he had spoken in private to Meronk ahead of the formal team announcement advising him that his name was not on his list of players he was taking to Rome.
Of course, Meronk did not hide his feelings when the team was announced and there were plenty surprised one of the more ‘qualified’ rookies had been left out of rookie Rome selection having won the Australian Open in late 2022 and then in May, 2023 captured the Italian Open on the Ryder Cup host Marco Simone course but only to just miss out on automatic selection.
Of course, in the days after being overlooked Meronk spoke publically of his bitter disappointment before the matter died ahead of the big surprise in December Meronk had been named by his DP World Tour peers as ‘2023 DP World Tour Player of the Year’.
Adrian Meronk – Image DPWT/SKY
However, it was just a few weeks later in mid January this year that news broke Meronk had quit the DP World Tour having signed with LIV, and then making his debut earlier this month (February) in the LIV event in Las Vegas.
Though, as mentioned, we’re learning just how peeved Meronk was in being overlooked by Donald as Meronk has been speaking ahead of this week’s LIV event in Saudi Arabia and revealing he made the decision to join LIV the very next day after Donald’s announcement by getting on the phone to LIV Golf’s Richard Bland to get an idea what LIV Golf was like.
“To be honest, when I wasn’t picked for the Ryder Cup, something inside me switched and I kind of decided to focus on myself,” said Meronk speaking with Gulf News.
“One day after the announcement of the team, I reached out to Richard Bland to ask him how LIV Golf was and if he was enjoying it. Moving there was in the back of my mind then, but we didn’t have any offers or big plans. I was ready to go and play in the U.S.”
“It’s all a bit complicated right now with the fines, I don’t know the full details to be honest.”
Gulf News continues saying Meronk has his sights fully set on an impressive outing this week, with the Polish star playing a LIV Golf event fully fit for the first time this year after illness hampered his performance in the opening two events in Mexico and Las Vegas.
This will be his second outing at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, having finished in a share of 27th at the 2020 Saudi International on the DP World Tour before his return in 2021 saw him test positive for covid, which led to him missing the event and spending 18 days in isolation.
“I’ve had such an amazing welcome from everyone, it’s like a big family,” said Meronk to Gulf News
“I would say around 80% of the players came up to me on my first day to congratulate me and welcome me. Our team spends a lot of time together and we try to travel together, which I really like.
“It’s very different from the DP World Tour, but I love being part of a team. There were many times before where I was travelling on my own, sitting in my hotel room ordering room service – it was just lonely.
“Here, LIV Golf’s staff and all the players feel like one big family.”
