Adrian Meronk crossed the Swilcan Bridge asking Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus for a little of their energy, then finished the job on the 18th green of the Old Course.
The 33-year-old Pole closed with a 4-under 68 on a cold, windy Sunday to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by two shots at 20-under 268.
It was his fifth DP World Tour title, his first in 1,078 days, and the week that restored his full card for 2027. He and amateur partner Tom Chaplin, the Keane singer, also took the Team Championship, making Meronk only the third player in the event’s history to win both titles in the same week.
Meronk began the final round four shots behind overnight leader Casey Jarvis. The gap was gone inside two holes. Birdies at the first and second, four in all on the front nine against a single bogey at the seventh, and he turned in 33. Birdies at the 12th and the par-5 14th stretched his lead to three. A bogey at the Road Hole reopened the door.
Jarvis, chasing a third European title of the season, missed the green left at the 17th and bogeyed as well, then needed an eagle at the last to force a playoff. His drive finished on the fringe; the long putt never threatened. He signed for an even-par 72 and tied for second with Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard, who birdied the 18th for a 68. Norgaard’s amateur partner was outgoing PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
Tommy Fleetwood posted the low round of the day, a 64, and shared fourth at 17 under with Scotland’s Michael Stewart, ranked 979th in the world.
Brooks Koepka and defending champion Robert MacIntyre tied for sixth at 16 under.
Meronk’s week ran 71 on the Old Course, 66 at Carnoustie, 63 at Kingsbarns and 68 back on the Old Course. The winner’s share was about $814,000 from a $5 million purse.
Ten years ago this event was his professional debut. Three years ago he was DP World Tour player of the year, then left off the European Ryder Cup side in Rome before joining LIV Golf. He arrived this week 141st in the Race to Dubai and 527th in the world ranking, with LIV working through Chapter 11 and his European status still unresolved. The win moved him to 38th in the Race to Dubai and secured full membership for next season.
“I never usually cry, but this one feels really special,” Meronk said. “I’m lost for words. I’m extremely happy and quite relieved. It’s been quite a tough year for me, and to win here after 10 years since turning pro, it’s a dream come true.”
