Adrian Meronk is hoping to build on an exciting season that has included his second DP World Tour victory and a Masters Tournament debut, as he returns to action at the Korea Championship Presented by Genesis.
Meronk became the first player from Poland to tee it up at Augusta National earlier this month, and after a three week break he is looking forward to a debut performance in Korea, as the DP World Tour returns to the country for the first time in a decade.
He will tee it up in the first round at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in the company of two home favourites, Wang Jeunghun and Kim Yeongsu, in the event that is co-sanctioned with the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association.
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For three-time DP World Tour winner Wang, it is a welcome return to his homeland after resuming his career this season following 18 months of military service.
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Meanwhile Kim is aiming for more success at the 2015 Presidents Cup venue, where he sealed victory in the 2022 Genesis Championship, one of two victories last season that helped him top the KPGA’s Genesis Points Award and secure a DP World Tour card in the process.
Germany’s Yannik Paul joins Meronk in making his first trip to Korea and he is aiming to build on mindset changes that have yielded success so far in Asia, with back-to-back runner up finishes at the Thailand Classic and Hero Indian Open in February, and a tie for sixth place at last week’s ISPS HANDA-CHAMPIONSHIP.
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Player Quotes
Adrian Meronk: This is my first time in Korea. I really like to explore new countries, so happy to be here. Love the food, the people are super nice, the course is amazing. Very excited for the week.
The course is playing sort of linksy. It’s quite generous off the tee but you have to be accurate with your approach play. The greens are very slopey. I think that will be the key this week to put the ball in good places and go from there.
The Masters was an unbelievable experience. My first time, so when I arrived on Sunday, I was like ‘wow’. It’s such a cool place a special place. I enjoyed the week – wish it was a bit longer for me, but I’ll get it next time. A special week and probably one of the highlights of my career.
Playing with the best in the world (at the Masters) gives you confidence and belief in yourself that you can do it. Hopefully that will help me to get better, improve my world ranking.
Yannik Paul: You have quite a bit of room off the tee. It’s really demanding into the greens as they are really undulating, slopes and tiers. It’s key that you have good approach play this week, and if you do, you can make a few birdies.
I’ve played well the last couple of weeks. I’m just trying to continue that form. I had a good learning experience at the beginning of the season. I feel I play my best when expectations are not through the roof.
I had a good season last year so my expectations were really high at the beginning of the season and that didn’t really help. Now I’m just trying to focus on my self and take it one shot at a time, not put too many expectations on myself. It seems to work. I have a good team around me, had great conversations with my caddie, my agent, my physio. We all work together.
I was hitting it well, just couldn’t get it out on the course. With talking to the team we came to that conclusion and since then it has turned around and I’m really happy with my game.
Wang Jeunghun: It’s my first time playing a DP World Tour event in Korea so I’m really excited to play this week with young Korean players and DP World Tour players. I’m really happy to be here and hopefully I play well, so I can show the Korean fans.
I didn’t practice at all when I was on military service, but I think I’m still doing OK, so I’m happy about it, so hopefully I keep working well and playing well.
The feeling (of coming back to golf after military service) is one word – freedom. I was really happy to grab the golf clubs again, be out in the fresh air, everything was perfect.
I’m playing OK, hitting it good, chipping well, putting well, so I’m really looking forward to playing with the DP World Tour guys and hopefully I play well this week.
There are a lot of good restaurants around here, so I’m sure the players will enjoy, and I hope they like the Korean culture.
Kim Yeongsu: It feels good to be back at a course where I won the 2022 Genesis Championship. The course plays quite difficult and there is stiff competition every year, but I enjoy the setting and the challenge. As for my plans for this year, I will play as many DP World Tour events as possible, and I hope to compete to win, learn and achieve good results.
I think all the holes on this course play with some level of difficulty but the last three holes are the most important. Not necessarily to lower your score but rather to maintain your score. This course is also very windy so controlling trajectory, course management and especially saving shots around the green are important.
I obviously want to do better in Korea but at the end of the day this is golf, and one of many events I will continue to play so this week it’s the same routine, same mindset.
