LIV Golf recruit Adrian Meronk doubles down on Ryder Cup position

LIV Golf recruit Adrian Meronk has reiterated qualification for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team is no longer his main goal. 

Meronk appeared to have secured his place among Luke Donald's dozen in 2023 when the biennial matches were held at Marco Simone.

He was in stellar form on the DP World Tour and had even bolstered his prospects by securing victory at the host venue in Italy. 

Meronk won his third title on the European-based circuit at the 2023 Italian Open. 

But Donald decided to omit Meronk and instead selected Nicolai Hojgaard, Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka as his rookies. 

Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry were also handed captain's picks. 

The Englishman's decision was ultimately vindicated, given Europe ran out 16½ - 11½ winners in Rome. 

But the 'snub' hit Meronk hard and he later admitted it played a huge part in his decision to join LIV Golf.

Meronk said he had spent the entire season with that goal in the back of his mind and was stunned and angry he was left out. 

He was travelling home from the European Open with his girlfriend Melania Bobrowicz when he was given the bad news by Donald. 

Meronk told reporters at the beginning of the year that qualifying for the Ryder Cup team was no longer his main goal. 

And he doubled down on that after the second round of the International Series Macau. 

"Luke Donald texted me after my win in Riyadh," Meronk told reporters on Friday after returning a scorecard of 70. 

He said Donald sent a three-word message saying: "Keep playing well."

Meronk added: "Obviously, if I am playing well, I will be available and I want to play [at the Ryder Cup].  

"But it is not my main goal. I think the focus is just to play well and see what happens.

"I feel like my game is progressing nicely, but I just need to be patient and work hard and see what happens."

Meronk is chasing a spot in the 2025 Open Championship this week. 

He is currently tied for 32nd place after hitting rounds of 66 and 70.

"It is the biggest goal this weekend, to grab one of those spots," Meronk added. 

"I will need to have a good weekend to do that. Yes it is huge for us, especially for me. 

"I do not have any majors yet this year, so that is going to be the main focus for this tournament."

He is not the only LIV Golf recruit chasing a spot at Royal Portrush. 

Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are also in the field. 

Reed currently holds the 36-hole lead.