Meronk makes history with Horizon Irish Open win

Adrian Meronk became the first player from Poland to win on the DP World Tour after securing a historic three-stroke victory at the Horizon Irish Open.

The 29-year-old led heading into the final round but was required to conjure some back nine magic to overhaul clubhouse leader Ryan Fox, who had set the target at seventeen-under-par following an eight-under-par 64 to close.
Meronk, a 2019 European Challenge Tour graduate, found that magic emphatically as he birdied the 15th and 16th at Mount Juliet Estate before rolling in a 24-foot eagle putt at the par five 17th to reach twenty-under-par, allowing him to enjoy the walk down the 18th fairway to rapturous applause from the sold-out crowd and put the finishing touches to a six-under 66.
“Such a relief to be honest. As you said, I've been coming quite close a couple of times this year, and to finally open the door, it's just a dream come true," said Meronk.
“I love it. I'm not stopping. I'm going to keep going forward. It's another step for me. And I'm excited I achieved it here in Ireland, such a great history, and I'm just super excited. I can't describe it."

The Pole’s victory is the latest in a long list of historic moments, after previously becoming the first player from Poland to win on a major golf tour with his triumph at the Open de Portugal @ Morgado Golf Resort in 2019, helping him graduate from the Challenge Tour and become the first Polish player to earn full DP World Tour playing privileges.
Fox continued his incredible run of recent form by finishing second – his third runner-up finish of the season, on top of a victory at February's Ras Al Khaimah Classic – while South African Thriston Lawrence, also a winner this season at the Joburg Open, was a shot further back in third.
Meronk was not the only man celebrating in County Kilkenny, as the American 2020 Irish Open winner John Catlin, Scotland’s David Law and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti booked their places in The 150th Open at St Andrews, as the leading three players not already exempt, the trio finishing in a tie for fourth.
Spain’s Jorge Campillo finished seventh on fourteen-under-par, Thorbjørn Olesen was a shot further back in eighth, while 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry finished as the leading Irish player in a tie for ninth on twelve-under-par.
There were a further three birdies on the 18th hole, bringing the total for the week to 37 and raising €18,500 for Make-A-Wish® Ireland through the Birdies for Wishes initiative.