Lee Westwood reveals real reason why Adrian Meronk was snubbed by Luke Donald
Lee Westwood believes Adrian Meronk was "unlucky" to not get picked in the Ryder Cup team but then explains the headache that faced Luke Donald.
European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood considers Adrian Meronk was "unlucky" to miss out on the European Ryder Cup team but that Luke Donald did not select him because "picking four rookies out of six picks would probably be a step too far for any captain."
LIV Golf's Westwood, 50, has the greatest number of appearances in Ryder Cup winning teams (seven wins, four losses).
He took to Twitter to give his verdict after learning his English compatriot Donald had picked Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and three rookies in Sepp Straka, Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg.
It meant no place for Poland's Meronk, who currently looks on from third in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai standings behind Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
Many consider Meronk, 30, unfortunate to have missed out on the team as a result of winning three times on the DP World Tour since July 2022 including victory at the Italian Open in May this season, which was staged on the Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone.
Adrian Meronk has two words for Luke Donald as his golf coach admits he is "hurt"
— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) September 4, 2023
Westwood was equally shocked by the call.
But then explained the most likely reason why Donald decided against taking Meronk.
Just got in from playing golf at @CloseHouseGolf and catching up with all the “experts “ opinions on here. I’d just say that 3rd on the @DPWorldTour points list, 1st and 2nd in 2 outings at the RC venue. @AdrianMeronk should consider himself unlucky to not get picked.
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) September 4, 2023
Someone always feels hard done to. If you don’t qualify you can’t really complain. Picking 4 rookies out of 6 picks would probably be a step too far for any captain. Darren and I did get picked in 06 partially due to our records around the K Club however. Horses 4 courses.
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) September 4, 2023
Westwood tweeted:
Westwood then added:
The bottom line would appear to contradict Westwood though, especially given Meronk won the Italian Open at Marco Simone in May.
The DP World Tour heads to The K Club this week for the Irish Open.
McIlroy headlines the field, which also includes Ryder Cup players Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and an understandably dejected Meronk.
The giant Pole had two words for Donald.
Meronk's coach then said he was "hurt".
Just caught up with a six-time DP World Tour winner who told me "Shane Lowry was picked for experience and not good golf lately" and that he was "surprised" Nicolai Hojgaard got in over Adrian Meronk
— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) September 4, 2023
Joost Luiten is also competing in the tournament this week and he told GolfMagic that Lowry was 100% picked by Donald because of his "experience" and "not because of his good golf."
GolfMagic has taken a closer look at all 12 Europeans in Donald's team.
We have also taken a look at what the potential pairings could look like at the Ryder Cup.
What did you make of Meronk getting snubbed by Donald? Should he have been picked over Hojgaard or Lowry? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
