Up-and-downs don’t get much better than this one, especially as it helped make a small slice of golfing history.
Adrian Meronk has never competed in an Open Championship, but will now become the first Polish golfer to ever play in golf’s oldest major – and it’s thanks in part to one of the most miraculous par saves you’re ever likely to see.
Soaring into contention on the final round of the Dutch Open – an event which is part of the Open Qualifying Series – Meronk sat just a few shots off the lead when he approached the par-3 8th hole.
Yet to drop a shot all day, a disaster then seemed inevitable as the Pole found water short of the green from 160 yards. Fortunately for Meronk, his ball was sitting nicely on top of some moss around the edge of the pond, so when you’re fighting for your first win on the DP World Tour and a potential spot in the 150th Open at St Andrews, it’s time to go swimming.
Confident he could take on the shot rather than take a penalty, the 28-year-old removed his shoes and socks, rolled up his trousers, and got stuck in.
Go on then, let’s take a look…
Making contact was impressive enough, hitting the green was incredible, but to then hole the monster putt for the up-and-down and the three of all threes was simply miraculous.
It helped spur Meronk on, with the Pole not dropping a shot all day as he carded two birdies on the back-nine to narrowly miss out on a playoff with Ryan Fox and eventual winner Victor Perez by one.
But perhaps more importantly, the third-place finish cements Meronk’s spot in the field for The Open at the Home of Golf in July.
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George Cooper
