LIV Golf's Adrian Meronk in tears after claiming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title
Adrian Meronk claimed his first win on the DP World Tour in more than three years.
Poland's Adrian Meronk was reduced to tears as he claimed his first title on the DP World Tour in more than three years at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The LIV Golf pro carded a final-round 68 on the Old Course at St Andrews to finish on 20-under par, two shots clear of overnight leader Casey Jarvis, who could only manage a level par 72 and was forced to settle for a share of second place alongside Denmark's Niklas Norgaard.
Multiple major champion Brooks Koepka also finished inside the top-10 alongside European Ryder Cup team-mates Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre.
MacIntyre's compatriot, Michael Stewart - ranked 979th in the world - finished in a share of third.
Pos | Player | Score |
1 | Adrian Meronk | -20 |
2 | Niklas Norgaard | -18 |
2 | Casey Jarvis | -18 |
4 | Michael Stewart | -17 |
4 | Tommy Fleetwood | -17 |
6 | Brooks Koepka | -16 |
6 | Robert MacIntyre | -16 |
8 | Thomas Detry | -15 |
9 | J. C. Ritchie | -14 |
9 | M. J. Daffue | -14 |
11 | Matthew Jordan | -13 |
11 | Jacob Skov Olesen | -13 |
11 | Jose Luis Ballester | -13 |
11 | David Ravetto | -13 |
11 | Connor Syme | -13 |
11 | Ollie Schniederjans | -13 |
17 | Andreas Halvorsen | -12 |
17 | Sebastian Soederberg | -12 |
17 | Sam Bairstow | -12 |
17 | Calum Hill | -12 |
17 | Matthew Fitzpatrick | -12 |
17 | Mikael Lindberg | -12 |
23 | Rocco Repetto | -11 |
23 | David Law | -11 |
23 | Jeremy Paul | -11 |
23 | Ivan Cantero | -11 |
23 | Sepp Straka | -11 |
23 | Richard Mansell | -11 |
23 | Alexander Noren | -11 |
30 | Marcus Armitage | -10 |
30 | Joakim Lagergren | -10 |
30 | Daniel Hillier | -10 |
30 | Dean Burmester | -10 |
30 | Victor Perez | -10 |
35 | Cameron Adam | -9 |
35 | Euan Walker | -9 |
35 | Padraig Harrington | -9 |
35 | Alex Fitzpatrick | -9 |
35 | Charles Porter | -9 |
35 | Hennie Du Plessis | -9 |
35 | Scott Jamieson | -9 |
42 | Hugo Townsend | -8 |
42 | Renato Paratore | -8 |
42 | Brandon Stone | -8 |
42 | Oliver Lindell | -8 |
42 | Caleb Surratt | -8 |
42 | Branden Grace | -8 |
42 | Guido Migliozzi | -8 |
42 | Freddy Schott | -8 |
42 | Michael Hollick | -8 |
51 | Jack Senior | -7 |
51 | Marcus Kinhult | -7 |
51 | David Puig | -7 |
51 | Nick Voke | -7 |
55 | Todd Clements | -6 |
55 | Daniel Cronje | -6 |
55 | Daniel Brown | -6 |
55 | Francesco Molinari | -6 |
55 | Daniel van Tonder | -6 |
55 | Declan O'Donovan | -6 |
61 | Matteo Manassero | -5 |
61 | Pablo Larrazabal | -5 |
61 | Eddie Pepperell | -5 |
61 | Davis Bryant | -5 |
61 | Cameron John | -5 |
66 | Charley Hoffman | -4 |
67 | Felix Mory | -3 |
68 | Pavit Tangkamolprasert | -2 |
69 | Clement Charmasson | E |
69 | Quim Vidal | E |
"It's unreal, to be honest," Meronk told Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath of victory.
"As I told you before, I never usually cry, but this one feels really special. I'm sorry, I'm just lost for words.
"It's been quite a tough year for me, and to win here after 10 years, after turning pro, it's a dream come true, and it's unbelievable.
"Sorry, I'm just lost for words, but I'm extremely happy and very relieved."
Meronk began the final round four shots behind Jarvis.
He hit the turn in 33 after making birdies at the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 9th, with his only blemish a bogey at the 7th.
Birdies at the 12th and 14th saw Meronk reach 21-under par.
Jarvis looked as though he was back in contention after Meronk dropped a shot at the par-4 17th Road Hole.
But Jarvis also made bogey on the iconic hole to allow Meronk a stress-free walk up the last.
"I knew it was going to be a tough day," added Meronk.
"We knew the forecast was going to be quite windy.
"I kind of set myself up mentally yesterday with my psychologist for the day. I knew what to expect.
"I had a number in my head, what I have to shoot, and to be honest, I was quite close to that number.
"But yeah, I'm just super happy. I played really solid golf.
"We did a great job with my caddie, and it was quite stressful at times, but it was a lot of fun."
It is a first victory on the DP World Tour for Meronk since the 2023 Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucia Masters.
"After my drive on 18, I was quite happy with the position I was in, and I was just trying to enjoy the walk," he added.
"It's an amazing walk when you cross the bridge.
"You look around at the people, the history.
"Actually, when I was crossing the bridge, I talked to myself.
"I was actually thinking about Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus walking on the bridge, and I was kind of asking for that good momentum, good energy from them.
"And it was just a great feeling. Yeah, I enjoyed that walk."
Meronk's victory also arrives at a crucial time as the future of the LIV Golf League is up in air.
He joined LIV Golf for the 2024 season.
He later told of how Luke Donald's decision to overlook him for the 2023 Ryder Cup team played a part in the move.
"The goal for the rest of the season was to try to get my status for next year, and that helps me a lot," said Meronk.
"And I'm super happy that I achieved that goal, but definitely I'll have to re-evaluate my goals for the rest of the season and see what happens.
"But I'll do that for tomorrow and see what happens.
"But I'm super happy and super grateful to be in that position."
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
