Adrian Meronk makes history with Horizon Irish Open win

Adrian Meronk made history as the first Polish winner on the DP World Tour after producing fireworks on the back nine to win the 2022 Horizon Irish Open by three shots.

Meronk began the day with a slender one-stroke lead at a sold-out Mount Juliet Estate but found himself one behind with five holes to play after in-form Ryan Fox posted an eight-under-par 64 to get to 17 under.

The 29-year-old dug deep, though, holing lengthy birdie putts at the 15th and 16th to regain the outright lead before making an eagle from 25 feet on the long 17th to give himself a three-shot cushion.

And he safely parred the last to claim his maiden DP World Tour crown and put his name alongside illustrious past champions such as Colin Montgomerie, Rory McIlroy, Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo on the trophy.

Meronk's sensational 66 contained an eagle, five birdies and a solitary bogey and saw him finish the tournament on 20 under par.

Fox was alone in second place, continuing his recent hot streak with a fourth top-three finish in his past six events.

Thriston Lawrence finished another shot back in third on 16 under after firing back-to-back 67s over the weekend.

David Law, John Catlin and Fabrizio Zanotti came joint-fourth to book their spots at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews later this month.

Meronk made a solid start to his final round, rolling in from 14 feet for a birdie at the second to get to 15 under.

He produced a remarkable approach from the rough at the fourth, clearing the water and giving himself an 18-foot birdie putt, which he duly holed.

After missing the green at the short sixth, Meronk dropped his first shot of the day there but saved par from 12 feet at the eighth to remain in a share of the lead.

A two-putt birdie from around 50 feet took Meronk to 16 under before Fox's late run gave the Polish star work to do in his closing holes.

He produced a magnificent birdie from 24 feet at the 15th before making it two in a row on the 16th from 12 feet.

That put him back in front, but it was not until his huge eagle putt from just off the 17th green went in that he could breathe easily.

And he made no mistakes on the 18th, tapping in for par to secure his - and Poland's - first DP World Tour title.

Meronk recorded six top-ten finishes in the 2022 campaign before getting over the line in Ireland and he was pleased to finally achieve his dream.

He said: "It's such a relief to be honest. 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.

"That's why we practise every day - such a relief and so happy.

"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.

"It was an unbelievable feeling and to hit such a good shot on the last hole, I'm super proud of myself and my caddie, and yeah, super happy."

Former Poland and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek congratulated Meronk on his win, saying in a video: "Adrian, congratulations. 

"You were waiting for that moment so many years. That's a first Pole on the podium in this beautiful sport.

"You are a legend of this game. We're very proud of you.

"Enjoy every single moment. All the best, come on!"

Sunday was a day to remember for Frenchman Julien Guerrier, who secured a hole-in-one at the short 11th on his way to a closing 69.