Former Ryder Cupper says wildcard decision makes “zero sense”

Three-time Ryder Cup member Hunter Mahan has blasted Luke Donald’s decision to snub Adrian Meronk for this year’s event.

The 41-year-old, who won the biennial match in 2008, immediately took to Twitter following Donald’s announcement.

In response to a post listing Meronk’s credentials, Mahan said: “Makes zero sense.”

The PGA Tour member also re-tweeted a post that offered reasons why the Polish DP World Tour winner should have been selected.

Makes zero sense.

— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) September 4, 2023

Former US vice-captain Paul Goydos shared the same opinion and didn’t waste his words in a social media post.

The 2010 assistant tweeted: “Adrian Meronk not making the European Ryder Cup is a crime. He’s 3rd on the race to Dubai and he won on the course that’s hosting.”

One user stated he believes it has become a ‘Boys Club’ in relation to Lowry’s inclusion, to which Goydos agreed.

He said: “It’s what the Ryder Cup has become. Needs 10 auto qualifiers.”

Meronk’s omission from the contest at Marco Simone this month opened space for two different rookies.

Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and Swedish prodigy Ludvig Aberg were handed call-ups by the Team Europe captain this afternoon.

Donald argued that Hojgaard deserves his place given his recent run of form, while last week’s Omega European Masters winner Aberg, was deemed a ‘generational player’.

The former world number one used his remaining picks to draft in Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Sepp Straka.

Yannik Paul also missed out on a place, despite finishing a place above Meronk – fourth – on the European points list.

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However, it was Meronk’s three wins in the last 16 months, including one at the Ryder Cup venue, that has come as a surprise.

Reports suggested the 30-year-old was not part of Donald’s plans, which was criticised by LIV golfer Richard Bland.

He argued that Meronk deserved a spot more than ‘an out-of-form Shane Lowry’.

And Mahan agrees that the Pole should have been making a Ryder Cup debut as the teams faced off in Italy.

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Since the announcement, Meronk’s team has commented on being left out of the fold.

His short-game coach, Matthew Tipper, tweeted: “Obviously, we’re disappointed as we’ve had a great campaign and thought we had done enough.

“It will hurt for a bit, but we will move on, and we wish the team well in Italy and we will be supporting them in the hopes of bringing the cup back to Europe.

“I’m incredibly proud of Adrian and his play this year and a special thanks to his Caddy Stuart Beck who has been outstanding.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.