‘I Was Surprised’: Hours Before Teeing Up at PGA Championship, Tour Pro Hails Tiger Woods for Giving Him an ‘Amazing’ Major Experience

Playing the sport of golf alongside your friends can be a wish for many. However, very few get the opportunity to play a round of golf with one of its greatest players, Tiger Woods. Nonetheless, one of the rising DP World Tour Players got the chance to play nine holes with the Hall of Famer. But after their in-depth conversation, Woods left the European golfer ‘surprised’. What did the 15-time Major winner do?

With 82 professional wins, which also includes his 15 Major titles, Tiger Woods has cemented his legacy. Now, in his 27th year of professional golf, many of Woods’ competitors also happen to be the people who looked up to him. Last year, during the 150th Open Championship, Tiger met one such competitor-fan at St. Andrews. Despite his long conversation with the Hall of Famer, it was Woods’ character that won the heart of the rising golfer.

Who did Woods meet at St. Andrews?

While Woods has barely competed in 2023 due to injury and surgery, a new name in the DP World Tour has been making headlines. Polish golfer Adrian Meronk, has already bagged two victories in the 2022-23 European Tour season. His latest victory came earlier this month at the DS Automobiles Italian Open.

Following his win at the Marco Simeone Golf Club, Meronk recalled his encounter with Tiger Woods at last year’s Open Championship: “It was a dream come true,” said the 29-year-old while speaking to The Independent. He then disclosed how Woods was standing along with his then-caddie Joe LaCava, at the 10th hole of the Old Course until Adrian decided to join them.

The Polish golfer said, “I showed up on the 10th in the morning, Tiger was standing there with his caddy, I just went for it, I asked if I could join him, nine holes of golf.” Though playing alongside the 15-time Major winner did make Adrian Meronk “nervous”, he felt much better later.

“After three holes we chatted and laughed a lot,” claimed the golfer. As the conversation had gotten much smoother, Adrian Meronk had a thought about Tiger which left him surprised.

Tiger Woods’ humility surprises rising Polish Golfer

Following their banter session during their back nine round at the Old Course, Meronk then claimed that Tiger gave him some good advice. Though he didn’t reveal what the Hall of Gamer said to him, he did label himself to be ‘very lucky’ to play alongside Woods for two hours. Nonetheless, Tiger then applauded and congratulated Adrian for his recent rise in the DP World Tour.

Meronk said, “He asked me how I started playing, he congratulated me for my win in Ireland.” As the duo reached the end of their long conversation, the Polish golfer was stunned by Woods’ humility. He said, “I was surprised how open he was. I thought he’d be quite unapproachable but he was so open and kind.” The 29-year-old ended by labeling his 9 holes round with Tiger as “an amazing experience.”

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While Adrian Meronk may not have the same resume as Tiger Woods, he has been making history on the professional circuit. With three wins in DP World Tour, he is the only golfer from Poland to ever claim a win in the Tour. As the 47th-ranked Polish golfer heads to the Oak Hill Country Club for his maiden PGA Championship, he can shock the world by embedding his name into the Wanamaker Trophy.

What are your thoughts on Adrian Meronk’s heartwarming story about Tiger Woods? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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