LIV Golf recruit tells Luke Donald: I want to play but Ryder Cup no longer No.1 focus

Adrian Meronk says he still wants to play in the Ryder Cup. 

But the LIV Golf recruit has conceded it will no longer be his primary focus after he was overlooked for the European team in 2023. 

Meronk joined the breakaway for a reported $10m in 2024, months after European skipper Luke Donald decided not to take him to Italy. 

At the time, Meronk was ranked 44th in the world and had already tasted success at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. 

Meronk later said he was 'angry' and the omission was a major factor in why he decided to join the rival league. 

His task of being involved in the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black is not impossible as he remains a member of the DP World Tour. 

Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Meronk have appealed the fines they have racked up for playing in LIV events. 

The legality of that decision will be decided by a third-party arbiter. 

If their case is heard before September, then their Ryder Cup chances could evaporate. 

For Rahm and Hatton, though, nobody really expects the pair not to pay up if they fail in their appeals. 

Meronk has told MirrorSport that the Ryder Cup is most definitely on his mind, but his goal is to simply play good golf. 

"And if that is enough compared to the other guys that make it onto the team then I will be there," he said. 

"But is it not my number one goal."

Meronk added: "Last time it was the only thing I was thinking about for almost two years. 

"I put so much focus on that, so when I didn't get in I was super disappointed because I thought I deserved it. 

"This time I am not going to put any more focus or motivation to make the team."

Rahm doesn't intend to pay his fines

Jon Rahm spoke to reporters about his Ryder Cup situation last week before the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

The Spaniard mantained that he does not intend to pay the fines. 

But he made an impassioned plea about the biennial contest: "I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I can tell you my plan is to be on that team at Bethpage.

"I don't know what’s going to happen, and I'm hoping they don't try to settle the appeal before the Ryder Cup. 

"I don't think that would be good for anybody. But my plan is to be at Bethpage."

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played over 26-28 September. 

Team Europe will attempt to win the Ryder Cup for the first time in hostile territory since 2012's Miracle at Medinah. 

Rory McIlroy claimed in the immediate aftermath of victory in Italy that Europe will get the job done at Bethpage. 

Watched our latest YouTube video?