John Merrick

Height: 6 ft. 1 in 

Weight: 170 lbs 

Birthday: 03/20/1982

College: UCLA

Turned Pro: 2004

Birthplace: Long Beach, California

Country: United States

Sponsor: Titleist

Merrick had a successful amateur career. At the age of 19, he won the Southern California Championship, the youngest since Tiger Woods won it in 1994. He claimed the Pac 10 Championship in 2003 leading UCLA to their first Championship win since 1985. He turned pro after graduating in 2004. Merrick played his first full season on the Nationwide Tour in 2006. He finished the season 21st in the standings to gain his first PGA Tour card. He won once at the Peek'n Peak Classic after a play-off with Gavin Coles and had three more top 10 finishes.

He played 29 events in his rookie season on the PGA Tour, making the cut 16 times. He had one top 10 finish, at the Reno-Tahoe Open where he finished in a tie for 4th place. He failed to retain his card after finishing 135th on the money list (top 125 retain it). He attended Q School where he regained his card. He had four top 10 finishes in 2008 including a third place at the Mayakoba Golf Classic and a tie for 6th at the US Open on his way to ending the season 83rd on the money list.

Merrick had his best finish on Tour to date in 2009 when he was runner up to Pat Perez at the Bob Hope Classic. After making his debut at the US Masters, he shot a final round of 66 to finish in a tie for 6th. He also had a top 10 at the PGA Championship. He ended the season 58th on the money list. He struggled in 2011 and just about retained his card after finishing 119th in the standings. Merrick captured his first PGA Tour win in 2013 after capturing the Northern Trust Open after a play-off with Charlie Beljan. He finished the year a career best 34th on the money list.