Horizon Irish Open - Day four digest 

Everything you need to know from the final round at Mount Juliet Estate.

Adrian made history as the first Polish winner on the DP World Tour, David made a clutch putt on the last to secure his maiden Major Championship appearance and Pádraig thrilled the home fans on the final day of the 2022 Horizon Irish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from the final round at Mount Juliet Estate.

Meronk makes history for Poland

A late scoring surge helped Adrian Meronk win the Horizon Irish Open and become the first Polish winner on the DP World Tour. Meronk's sensational 66 contained an eagle, five birdies and a solitary bogey and saw him finish the tournament on 20 under par. He began the day with a slender one-stroke lead at a sold-out Mount Juliet but found himself one behind with five holes to play after in-form Ryan Fox posted an eight-under-par 64 to get to 17 under. But he then birdied the 15th and 16th before he holed from 25 feet on the par-five 17th for an eagle. The 2019 Challenge Tour Graduate arrived in Ireland on the back of three top-three finishes in his last six starts and was thrilled to make the breakthrough. “It’s such a relief, to be honest,” said Meronk. “I’ve been coming quite close a couple of times this year and to finally open the door is just a dream come true. That’s why we practice every day and I’m super happy.”

Relishing the opportunity to inspire

Asked how it feels to be a role model to a generation of Polish players, Meronk added: "I love it, I love it. I'm not stopping, I'm gonna keep going forward and it's just another step for me. I'm super excited (to win) here in Ireland, such a great history. I can't describe it. I was imagining this picture yesterday, what it might look like and it looked exactly how I imagined it and it was an unbelievable feeling. To hit such a good shot on the last hole, I'm super proud of myself and my caddie." Victory in Ireland has lifted Meronk to seventh in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and he will aim to continue his excellent form at the Genesis Scottish Open this week at The Renaissance Club before his debut in The Open Championship at St Andrews.

Fox keeps hot streak going

Another week, another fine performance by New Zealander Fox. A closing 64 saw the 35-year-old set the clubhouse target at 17 under, after his round ended in frustrating fashion as he hit his approach through the 18th green on his way to a bogey at the last. “The shot on 18 was pretty much the only bad shot I hit today,” Fox said. "Happened to be in between clubs, went for a draw and pulled it a little bit. It’s been a weird week really; shot 64 in the first round, didn’t miss a shot, and then the same today with a little bit of scrappiness in the middle." The 35-year-old has climbed to a career-high 46th in the Official World Golf Ranking as a result of his third runner-up finish in his last six events.

Law books maiden Major spot

The Horizon Irish Open marked one of the final events on the Open Qualifying Series where opportunity knocked to secure spots in The 150th Open at The Home of Golf. There were three places on offer to the leading finishers (not already exempt) inside the top ten. David Law made a nerveless 10-footer for par at the 18th to finish on 15 under, in fourth place, and seal his qualification for the final Major of the year. The Scotsman was joined by American John Catlin and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti in securing their tickets to St Andrews.

Pádraig thrills home fans

Former champion Pádraig Harrington arrived in Ireland on the back of victory at the U.S. Senior Open Championship and provided plenty of entertainment for the home crowds during the week, including during Sunday’s final round. The three-time Major winner made six birdies on the front nine to turn in 30 at Mount Juliet, before he took a seven on the tenth as he signed for a 69 to finish in a tie for 30th. Reflecting on the fantastic atmosphere the packed crowds generated during the day, Harrington said on Twitter: "I have to say even though I’m biased, that was an amazing golf tournament. The Irish Open felt like it was back to its best days. The surging atmosphere of hope on my front nine from the crowd today is why I love this game.”

Saving the best to last

The hardest hole at Mount Juliet across the week was the par-four 18th, with 37 birdies made across the four tournament days. After a double bogey at the par-three 14th, Zanotti required a fast finish to stand a chance of a high finish and he duly made three birdies in his last four holes to end the week at 15 under and finish alongside Law and Catlin. The last of those birdies was courtesy of a fine long iron from 216 yards to within five feet.