LIV Golf pro opens up on $10m switch: “The PGA Tour is lonely and miserable”

In recent years, the golf world has seen a significant shift as a growing number of top PGA Tour players, including big names like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka, have moved over to LIV Golf. This high-stakes choice, driven by a mix of personal and professional reasons, reflects an evolving landscape in the sport. For some, like DeChambeau and Koepka, it’s about the appeal of a new structure and a less rigid tournament schedule, while others, such as Rahm, see it as an opportunity to prioritize personal time without sacrificing high-level play.

Polish golfer Adrian Meronk is the latest to make the jump, citing a desire for greater balance and camaraderie, along with the disappointment of being left out of the 2023 Ryder Cup lineup. Adrian Meronk recently opened up about his choice to leave the PGA Tour aspirations behind, instead joining LIV Golf to prioritize his happiness and mental well-being. Despite a remarkable season on the DP World Tour, Meronk’s omission from the 2023 Ryder Cup influenced his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV in February, where he ended his first season ranked 17th.

🚨ONE-BOUNCE EAGLE 🚨@AdrianMeronk hoops one in from 121 yards 🔥#EDAM2023 pic.twitter.com/ht2gWsMTTO

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 22, 2023

Reflecting on his move, Meronk noted that playing in America would have meant relocating and an isolated lifestyle. “If I’d played in America, I would have been so lonely and so miserable,” he shared, adding that fellow players’ experiences on the PGA Tour sounded like a “rat race” with little camaraderie. Instead, by joining LIV, he’s been able to stay in Dubai, enjoy more downtime, and avoid burnout from an intense tournament schedule.

While Meronk still dreams of representing Europe in the Ryder Cup, his experience has shifted his priorities. Missing the Cup has allowed him to focus more on himself and what truly matters to him. “What happened with the Ryder Cup just opened my eyes…,” Meronk revealed, signaling a shift toward balance and personal fulfillment over the constant grind.