Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: LIV Golf’s Adrian Meronk outlasts Casey Jarvis to claim victory at St Andrews

The victory saw the LIV Golfer end a 1,078-day wait to claim his fifth DP World Tour title and regain his tour card for next season, as he wrapped up his week with a four-under 68.

Jarvis held a two-stroke lead coming into day four at St Andrews, and following a fast start that included back-to-back birdies on holes four and five, he slumped, making bogeys on holes nine and 11.

A thrilling finish unravelled, with Meronk, who held a two-shot lead going into the final three holes, giving Jarvis a chance to cut the gap on the 17th after the Cleeks GC player carded a bogey.

But Jarvis couldn't reduce the deficit, as the South African missed the green on the penultimate hole and went down for a bogey.

It meant Jarvis would walk down the 18th fairway needing to make an eagle to force a play-off and after finding the fringes of the green with his drive, he was unable to make a long eagle putt, confirming Meronk's victory.

"I never usually cry, but this one feels very special," Meronk said.

"It's been quite a tough year for me, but to win here 10 years after turning pro, it's a dream come true."

Jarvis posted a final round 72 to finish tied for second with Niklas Nørgaard.

World No 979 Michael Stewart enjoyed a fairy tale week at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as the 36-year-old, who was playing on the Tartan Pro Tour last week, placed tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood, at 16-under.

Brooks Koepka earned his first top-10 finish on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour since March, with the American joining last year's Alfred Dunhill Links champion Robert MacIntyre at 16 under to tie for sixth place.

England's Matthew Jordan, who began the day two shots back from overnight leader Jarvis, endured a day to forget, as he slumped down the leaderboard to tied-11th after he posted a three-over 75 at the Old Course.

Open de France champion Matt Fitzpatrick would also fall down the leaderboard to tied-17th after he wrapped up his final round at level par.

Meronk: I asked Woods and Nicklaus for good energy walking down the 18th

Meronk got his final round off to a flying start, carding back-to-back birdies on his first two holes, before making more gains on the fourth, as he and Jarvis battled for the lead.

He'd cancel out a bogey on the seventh with a birdie on the ninth, before taking the solo lead with a birdie on the 12th and extending his advantage with another on the 14th. From there, he'd hold on to seal victory, despite a bogey on the 17th.

"After my drive on 18, I was quite happy with the position I was in," Meronk said.

"It's an amazing walk when you cross the bridge. You look around: the people, the history.

"Actually, when I was crossing the bridge, I talked to myself. I was thinking about Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus walking over the bridge, and I was asking for good energy from them.

"It was a great feeling. I really enjoyed that."

Meronk's victory also saw him become only the third player to win both the individual competition and the team event in the tournament's history, as he and Keane lead singer Tom Chaplin sealed a one-shot victory in the Pro-Am.

Stewart: My focus is on the Tartan Pro Tour

Stewart was "delighted" to finish so high up the leaderboard, with the 36-year-old banking himself a cheque of £168,000 for his tied-fourth finish.

His performance banked him a spot at next week's Open de Espana in Madrid but Stewart, who currently is second on the Tartan Pro Tour's Order of Merit, said he was committed to playing at its next event, the Gleneagles Masters.

Stewart can win himself a HotelPlanner Tour card for 2027 if he finishes second on the Tartan Pro Tour's Order of Merit.

"Definitely, I'm going to have to go play the Tartan Tour next week," Stewart said. "I don't want to be left in limbo with obviously nowhere to play next season after a great season.

"That's where my head is at right now. It's obviously great to have a fantastic week this week. But the focus has to be on the Tartan Tour."

The DP World Tour heads to Madrid next week for the Open de Espana. Watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports Golf, with first-round coverage commencing at 1pm on Thursday. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract