Report: Adrian Meronk made $10m LIV Golf move over Ryder Cup rejection
European Ryder Cup snub Adrian Meronk has claimed he likely wouldn't have joined LIV Golf if Luke Donald picked the Pole as a 2023 wildcard.
Adrian Meronk has suggested he likely wouldn't have joined LIV Golf had it not been for the disappointment of being overlooked for a Ryder Cup pick.
Meronk appeared a dead cert to be one of Luke Donald's six wildcards for the 2023 contest at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy.
He had already won the Italian Open at the stage of the 2023 contest and was in red-hot form on the European-based circuit.
But Donald decided to name Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg as his six picks.
You could of course argue Donald's choices were more than vindicated given the five-point victory for the blue and golf over Team USA last September.
But the rejection clearly still hurts the giant Polish golfer, who was quoted as saying he was 'shocked' and 'angry' at Donald's decision.
Meronk's superb form last season led to the 6ft 6ins golfer gaining his very first PGA Tour card.
It was anticipated he would be playing the North American circuit in 2024 given he described the accomplishment as a dream come true.
Last December, he appeared to squash any rumours he would be joining LIV by stating he was 'looking forward' to the PGA Tour challenge.
But over the winter LIV tested his resolve once again and it is understood Meronk has agreed a $10m deal with the breakaway.
In comments to Telegraph Sport, Meronk said: "Ï don't know, but I would probably not have come to LIV if I had played in the Ryder Cup.
"What happened definitely made my choice easier. You know, what I went through just made it easier to care more about myself and not care what other people think of me, or what other people want me to do.
"What happened with the Ryder Cup just opened my eyes as to how everything works.
"Yeah, and that in life, especially when you are a professional athlete, it is not your whole life. You just have to make sure that your family is good and that you are good and feeling good."
Meronk told the paper that at the time, he lost motivation for golf.
He is also well-aware people will also suggest his move to LIV is 'all about the money'.
But Meronk was adamant there is more to it than that.
The golfer continued: "The last two years I had really great years, but to be honest, I wasn't enjoying it as much. I was just constantly on the road.
"We didn't have a proper home, just packing from hotel to hotel, airport to airport.
"I was sitting with my parents and my girlfriend during Christmas, and I was just saying, ‘yeah, I had a great year, but I didn't really enjoy it’.
"I remember when I won in Italy last May, waking up on the Monday, and saying, 'ok, great, I won the tournament.'
"But now I have to start all over again, go to a new course, get my routine going again. Where is the joy?
"So one of the best things is having more time to enjoy life with my family and friends."
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