Two days ago, it looked like Adrian Meronk would be concluding his season in Spain with a trip to the European Tour Qualifying School. Instead, he is set to tee it up at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.
History beckoned at the Ras Al Khaimah 2017 Golf Challenge when the 24 year old set the clubhouse target at 15 under par and looked like becoming the first Polish player in history to win a major professional golf tournament.
Jens Dantorp’s late heroics forced a play-off before a miraculous shot from the Swede on the first extra hole gave him the title, but Meronk’s career-best performance was highly significant.
Coming as it did in the penultimate event of the Challenge Tour season, it was the last chance to book a place in the top 45 who will compete in Muscat, and Meronk needed a top two finish – meaning that his runner-up spot, while not the win he was hoping for, was enough to finish the season in style.
“There was a little bit of disappointment, obviously,” he said. “I played well but I felt I lost some shots in my third round and that maybe cost me the tournament, so that hurts a little bit.
“Overall it was a good solid performance and I’m glad that I played the way I played and to be playing in the Grand Final now.
“I played very solid in that final round, which I’m proud of myself for. I could have made two or three more putts but that’s golf, I accept it and move on.
“I couldn’t have done much more in the play-off, it just is what it is – it took an incredible shot from Jens to beat me.”
A similar performance this week and the Pole would have a very good chance of propelling himself into the top 15 of the Rankings and earning a European Tour card, something that would have seemed unthinkable even a week ago.
Now up to 33rd on the Road to Oman and buoyed by last week’s good form, Meronk is in fresh territory in his maiden season on the Challenge Tour, and is hoping to cap a breakthrough year with a strong showing at Al Mouj Golf.
“The minimum aim was actually to get into the top 70 and get a full Challenge Tour card for next year,” he said. “Obviously I am trying to win, like every week, but if I look at it now I am very happy with what I’ve achieved.
“I had actually planned to be at Q-School this week so I’ve had to cancel that now! It is very exciting, my first time in Oman and my game feeling so good right now.
“It’s been a great year, my first on the Challenge Tour and I have learned a lot and achieved a lot, but it is very special to be able to finish the season with an appearance at the Grand Final, I’m very excited for the week.”
