Adrian Meronk feels confident that joining LIV Golf over the PGA Tour was the right call, saying he would have felt "so lonely and miserable" in the U.S.
The Pole, now based in Dubai, emerged as a standout on the DP World Tour last season, capturing the top spot in the PGA TOUR Eligibility rankings to earn full PGA Tour membership and an exemption to the prestigious Players Championship.
Despite previously expressing that he "felt like [he] belonged on the PGA Tour," Meronk ultimately chose to join Cleeks GC on the Saudi-backed LIV circuit soon after finishing as runner-up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Speaking to Gulf News earlier this year, Meronk shared that his unexpected exclusion from the European Ryder Cup team played a significant role in his decision.
In a new interview, with Gulf News and one other publication in the UAE, he revealed a conversation with fellow pro Nicolas Colsaerts gave him a ‘scare’, which put him off playing a full schedule in the States.
“If I’d played in America, I would have had to base myself there and I would have been so lonely and so miserable, I think,” said Meronk at The Els Club last week.
“I even talked to Nicolas Colsaerts – when he started playing the PGA Tour, he felt so lonely, he didn’t really enjoy it. I was a little bit scared of that, to be honest. I wanted to play out there, but hearing things like that played a part in my decision.
“Joining LIV Golf meant I could stay in Dubai, which is a place that I like, and play fewer tournaments, as I was exhausted last year after playing 27 times.
“I think it was a great decision for me. It’s given me so much life and enjoyment. It’s like a rat race on the PGA Tour – everybody is looking out for themselves, and nobody talks to you.”
Return to the DP World Tour
After concluding the LIV Golf season last month, Adrian Meronk had originally planned to return to the DP World Tour at the Andalucía Masters, where he was set to defend his title.
However, he opted to skip the event, feeling his game wasn’t where he wanted it to be following his split with long-time coach Matthew Tipper earlier this year.
Now working with Jerome Theunis, who also coaches Thomas Detry, Meronk is set to rejoin golf’s global circuit at next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - his first DP World Tour event since the Dubai Desert Classic.
“Jerome can take my game to the next level, for sure,” said Meronk.
“We’ve already made some small changes, and I feel much better and a lot more confident.
“The last two tournaments on LIV Golf, I didn’t really enjoy my game, I was kind of just getting through the rounds, wasn’t playing my A game and was in the middle of changing coaches as well.
“Initially I was going to defend in Sotogrande, but I decided it was better to skip and work on my game.
“I would have liked to have been there as I love the place and the people, but I think I made the right decision to come back to the UAE earlier to put the work in ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship.”
Despite picking up fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour for competing in LIV Golf events, Meronk can play at the DP World Tour Play-Offs as he has appealed the sanctions against him.
He plans to retain his membership next year, aiming to compete in one of his “favourite” tournaments - the Hero Dubai Desert Classic - and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection.
The 31-year-old was overlooked by European Captain Luke Donald last season, despite securing three wins in the 15 months leading up to the biennial event, including a victory at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the site of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
While Meronk admits that qualifying for the Ryder Cup isn't his top goal for 2025, he still hopes to make the team, but has yet to discuss his prospects with Donald, who will lead the European side again in New York next year.
“I think my manager may have spoken to him at Wentworth, but I’ve not personally spoken to him about anything,” said Meronk.
“Sergio, Rahm, Hatton – there’s a lot of players on LIV who want to be involved, so he probably knows I am up for it if I am playing well.
“I believe if I play well, I can make it.”
