Emotional Adrian Meronk seals ‘special’ victory in Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Adrian Meronk surged from four shots behind to overhaul Casey Jarvis and clinch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by two shots on a frantic final day at St Andrews.
The LIV golfer ended a 1,078-day wait to claim the fifth DP World Tour title of his career and regain his tour card for next season, as the Polish contender carded a final-round 68 for a 20-under total.
Jarvis was defending a two-stroke lead entering the final day and after making a strong start with back-to-back birdies on holes four and five, he stumbled, suffering bogeys on holes nine and 11.
Meronk presented Jarvis with an opportunity to snatch the title late on after he fell short with a bogey on the 17th to cut a three-shot lead to two.
However, Jarvis also ended up missing the green on the penultimate hole and endured a damaging bogey.
The South African required an eagle on the 18th to force a play-off, but was unable to make his putt, ending up tied for second alongside Niklas Nørgaard.
Poland’s Adrian Meronk holds the trophy aloft after his two-stroke triumph at St Andrews
Meronk escapes trouble at the 17th hole on his way to a final-round 68 at the Old Course
Scotland’s Michael Stewart tees off at the 18th hole before finishing in a tie for fourth place
Winner Meronk said: ‘It’s unreal. I never cry but this one feels special. I’m lost for words. It’s been a tough year and to win here after ten years since turning pro, it’s a dream come true.
‘After my drive on 18 I was quite happy with the position I was in and I was just trying to enjoy the walk. It’s an amazing walk when you cross the bridge, you look around and see the people and this history. When I was crossing the bridge I was thinking about Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus walking on the bridge. It was a great feeling and I really enjoyed the walk.’
Scotland’s Michael Stewart – World No979 – had a stunning event, as the 36-year-old, who was playing on the Tartan Pro Tour last week, placed tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood, at 17 under.
Brooks Koepka scored his first top-ten finish on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour since March, as the American joined last year’s Dunhill champion Robert MacIntyre at 16 under to tie for sixth place.