LIV Golf star sacks long-time coach after tough start to life with breakaway league

Adrian Meronk is one of LIV Golf’s newest recruits after making the Saudi switch in February – and the European star has now made a huge change to his support team

One of LIV Golf’s newest recruits Adrian Meronk has parted ways with long-time coach Matthew Tipper, ending a 14-year relationship between the pair.

Meronk made a shock move to the LIV setup in February, just weeks after being announced the DP World Tour Player of The Year. The Pole has struggled to replicate his impressive form from the Wentworth-based circuit during the early days of his career on the Saudi-backed series.

Four-time DP World Tour winner Meronk is yet to really make his mark on the LIV tour, as he currently sits 19th out of 54 players in the 2024 season-long standings.

His best showing came in Jeddah in March, where the Cleeks GC star finished in a tie for sixth at Royal Greens, one of two top-10 finishes, having ending LIV Las Vegas in ted-ninth. Moving forward though, Meronk will be without a coach that knows him well in Tipper.

Confirming the split in a statement, Tipper wrote on social media: “After 14 years sometimes things just come to an end. Last week Adrian decided he wanted to go a new way and I have to respect that decision. Im proud of everything that we achieved together.

“I knew in 2010 he was a great talent and he has only gone on to prove that all over the world. To Pietro Gobinho and Stuart Beck, thank you for being amazing caddies just when Adrian needed you. Your support and co-operation has been invaluable and I thank you both.

“I want to publicly thank Adrian for allowing me to sit in the best seat in the house for 14 years and talk a little. It’s now time to start my new chapter in the USA alongside my mentor James Sieckmann and I’m excited to go to my first Korn Ferry Event later next month. As always tomorrow we begin again. #yourshortgamesolution.”

Meronk’s move to LIV proved to be a high-profile one, having announced himself as one of Europe’s top stars in 2023. Despite his form last campaign, the Pole just missed out on a spot in Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team in September, and he himself admitted the snub played some part in his decision to defect.

“I would probably not have come to LIV if I had played in the Ryder Cup,” Meronk told the Daily Telegraph in February. “What happened definitely made my choice easier. You know, what I went through just made it easier to care more about myself and not care what other people think of me, or what other people want me to do. What happened with the Ryder Cup just opened my eyes as to how everything works.”