Adrian Meronk became Poland's first winner on the European/DP World Tour after he emerged victorious at the Irish Open on Sunday.

Meronk ultimately ended the tournament at the Mount Juliet Estate with a healthy three-shot cushion on 20 under, but that does not tell the whole story.

Although he started the final day with a one-shot lead, he was one off the top of the leaderboard heading into his final five holes.

Ryan Fox carded a wonderful eight-under 64 to put himself in the driving seat, reaching the clubhouse on 17 under for the tournament.

But Meronk came on strong in the latter stages, with unlikely birdie putts coming off on the 15th and 16th to put him back at the summit, and an even more surprising eagle on the penultimate hole sealed it.

"It's such a relief to be honest," Meronk said. "I've been coming quite close a couple of times this year, and to finally open the door, it's just a dream come true. That's why we practise every day – such a relief and so happy.

"I'm going to keep going forward. It's another step for me. And I'm excited I achieved it here in Ireland, such a great history, and I'm just super excited. I can't describe it.

"It was an unbelievable feeling and to hit such a good shot on the last hole, I'm super proud of myself and my caddie, and yes, super happy."

Meronk's success also captured the attention of another famous Polish sportsman.

Former Poland and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek sent Meronk a personal video message saluting his historic triumph.

"Adrian, congratulations," Dudek began.

"You were waiting for that moment so many years. That's a first Pole on the podium in this beautiful sport.

"You are a legend of this game. We're very proud of you. Enjoy every single moment. All the best, come on!"

Lucas Herbert made his first appearance in Europe this season a memorable one as he clinched the Irish Open title at Mount Juliet.

The Australian made it a wire-to-wire success, earning a place in the upcoming Open Championship in the process, as he finished with a 68 for an aggregate of 269, 19 under par.

Coming off a pair of top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour in June, Herbert kept up his good form in winning by three shots. Herbert won the Dubai Desert Classic last year and this week's triumph makes it two European Tour titles in his career for the 25-year-old from Bendigo.

Second place on 16 under went to 34-year-old Swede Rikard Karlberg, a lowly 611 in the world rankings. Karlberg finished with three birdies in the final four holes to post a closing 67, while Johannes Veerman of the United States took third on 15 under after a 71, bogeying the last.

The top three will be teeing it up at Royal St George's on July 15 for The Open, receiving the spots allocated to the leading players in the Irish Open who were not already assured of places in the major.

Herbert said of his win: "It's a bit fulfilling really. I feel like I was probably nearly at one of my low points in my life when I played here two years ago at the Irish Open."

At the Lahinch course in County Clare, Herbert had a 77 in his third round of that 2019 tournament before finishing with 65 to tie for 55th place.

"I feel like I've done full swing and come back round and won the event I was at a pretty low point at," Herbert said on Sky Sports. "It's pretty satisfying."

He is relishing the prospect of heading to Kent for The Open, saying: "It's awesome when you get to play an Open Championship. They're some of the best venues in the world and test you so much strategically. I'm stoked to get that start."

Richard Bland, the 48-year-old who broke his 478-tournament wait for a first win at the British Masters in May, and led after 36 holes of the U.S. Open, finished his week in Ireland in style with a 67 to take a share of fourth place.

The reigning Open champion, Ireland's Shane Lowry, settled for a share of 23rd that was sweetened by a 66 on Sunday.

Lowry is relishing his major title defence, after last year's Open was cancelled due to the pandemic.

"I'll be fine I think," Lowry told the European Tour website. "I'm used to having that kind of label on my head and it's fine. I'll just go there and be myself and play my own game and hopefully it's good enough to have a chance at the weekend."

Former Open champion Rory McIlroy finished a disappointing performance with a 74 to tie for 59th place.

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