LIV golfer cites Ryder Cup snub as purpose for ditching PGA Tour

Adrian Meronk received the Seve Ballesteros Award for his excellent play throughout the DP World Tour in 2022-23, and but, Captain Luke Donald missed him for the European Ryder Cup workforce.

Understandably, Meronk was crushed, a lot in order that he determined to affix LIV Golf in January 2024.

‌“I don’t know, however I’d in all probability not have come to LIV if I had performed within the Ryder Cup,” Meronk stated to James Corrigan of Telegraph Sport.

“What occurred positively made my selection simpler. What I went by means of made it simpler to care extra about myself and never care what different folks consider me or what different folks need me to do.”

Instantly after Donald unveiled his squad, Meronk admitted feeling “shocked” and “indignant” forward of final yr’s Irish Open.

“To be sincere, when [Donald] stated I’m not going, I type of stopped listening,” Meronk stated on Sept. 6, 2023.

Picture by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Pictures

“I simply didn’t pay attention a lot, to be sincere. He was saying that somebody needed to keep residence. It was shut, clearly, and stuff like that. Clearly, I wouldn’t wish to be in his place. I knew it was robust for him. However yeah, it was a giant shock, and I didn’t actually focus after that.”

Certainly, Meronk centered on his golf recreation instantly after that. He went on to win the Andalucía Masters in October, proving doubters that he belonged amongst Europe’s elite tier.

The 30-year-old Pole continued to play properly when the calendar flipped from 2023 to 2024, as he had a robust displaying in Australia in December and performed properly in Dubai in January. He tied for tenth on the Dubai Invitational after which completed solo second to Rory McIlroy on the Dubai Desert Basic.

Then, he spurned the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour—the place he earned his 2024 card—for LIV Golf.

‌“What occurred with the Ryder Cup simply opened my eyes as to how every thing works,” Meronk stated.

“Particularly when you find yourself knowledgeable athlete, it isn’t your entire life. It’s a must to guarantee that your loved ones is sweet and that you’re good and feeling good.”

Picture by Jose Manuel Alvarez/High quality Sport Pictures/Getty Pictures

Regardless of the success that surrounded Meronk all through 2023, he usually felt empty, as he admitted to not having fun with life as knowledgeable golfer.

“Folks will say this transfer is all concerning the cash, however what’s simply as vital is the lighter schedule,” Meronk stated.

‌“The final two years, I had actually nice years, however to be sincere, I wasn’t having fun with it as a lot. I used to be simply always on the highway. We didn’t have a correct residence, simply packing from resort to resort, airport to airport.”

Meronk crisscrossed the world in 2023, enjoying in Dubai, Southern California, Florida, Korea, Italy, Rochester, and Holland—all earlier than the U.S. Open on the Los Angeles Nation Membership.

‌“I used to be sitting with my dad and mom and my girlfriend throughout Christmas, and I used to be simply saying, ‘Yeah, I had an incredible yr, however I didn’t actually take pleasure in it,’” Meronk mirrored.

“I keep in mind after I received in Italy final Might, waking up on the Monday, and saying, ‘Okay, nice, I received the match. However now I’ve to start out another time, go to a brand new course, and get my routine going once more. The place is the enjoyment?’”

Now, Meronk faces a extra manageable schedule with LIV Golf.

After the Hero Dubai Desert Basic in mid-January, Meronk made his LIV debut final week in Mayakoba, Mexico, the place he completed at 5-over general, placing him in forty seventh.

Picture by David Cannon/Getty Pictures

LIV Golf is in Las Vegas this week, competing alongside the Tremendous Bowl. After this occasion, the circuit will take a hiatus earlier than heading to Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong in early March.

That ought to give Meronk loads of time to relaxation, recuperate, and observe.

Regardless of this, the 30-year-old has not overlooked his final purpose: representing Europe at Bethpage Black in 2025.

“Clearly, I didn’t like how I used to be handled final time, but when it’s attainable to play within the Ryder Cup and if I’m adequate, I’d like to be on the workforce,” Meronk stated.

“I’ll simply work arduous on my recreation, carry out at my finest and see what can occur.”

Who is aware of what the European Ryder Cup workforce will seem like in 2025. Maybe skilled golf can be united then. Maybe not.

Both manner, Meronk nonetheless carries the burden of being snubbed this previous fall, as evidenced by his resolution to affix LIV.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.