Why Ryder Cup snub made Adrian Meronk join LIV

Adrian Meronk’s move to LIV Golf might not have transpired had he been named in Europe’s Ryder Cup team. 

The Pole narrowly missed out automatic qualification for last year’s match in Rome and then was overlooked by captain Luke Donald in his six wildcard picks.

That was despite Meronk finishing fourth in the European Order of Merit and winning the Italian Open at Marco Simone months before the biennial showpiece.

Donald was vindicated with his selections after leading his inspired blue-and-gold side to a memorable 16.5-11.5 home win, but Meronk’s omission certainly stung.

Meronk revealed he was “shocked and angry” about being left out, whilst vice-captains Thomas Bjorn and Nicolas Colsaerts told bunkered they were “gutted” for the four-time DP World Tour winner.

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After a lucrative offer from LIV, Meronk has now turned his back at a shot on the PGA Tour after earning his card through impressive performances in Europe last year.

And the towering 30-year-old has now told the Telegraph’s James Corrigan at his second LIV start in Las Vegas that his Ryder Cup snub made his LIV defection “easier.”

‌“Ï don’t know, but I would probably not have come to LIV if I had played in the Ryder Cup,” Meronk said.

“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.

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‌“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’s prospects of becoming the first Polish golfer to compete in the Ryder Cup now appear slim, but he still has a chance of competing in New York in 2025 and will be eligible if he pays his DP World Tour fines for playing on the LIV circuit.

‌“It has always been my goal,” he added. “Obviously, I didn’t like how I was treated last time, but if it’s possible to play in the Ryder Cup and if I’m good enough, I would love to be on the team.

“I will just work hard on my game, perform at my best and see what can happen.”