Masters rookie Merrick plays his way into field for 2010

Five years ago, Augusta National officials scolded John Merrick, then a student, for laying down in the grass. With a 66 on Sunday, he stood tall enough to earn a spot right back here next year.

By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- John Merrick remembers laying down beside the 18th green here in 2004.

The UCLA senior was exhausted -- from a college event the weekend before and, well, a long
night. So he plopped down.

The next thing he knew, someone in a green jacket was standing over him. “Son,’’ he said, “you can’t be laying down.’’

Merrick chuckled. He’s come a long way.

On Sunday afternoon, Merrick played his way back to Augusta National next year. He closed out his first Masters with a 66 an hour before Tiger Woods finished and he was all smiles. Four birdies in a row coming in. Leader in the clubhouse at 8 under par.

Player in 2010 Masters field with what would be -- no matter what unfolded behind him the rest of the day -- a top-16 finish.

“I definitely played well,’’ said the 27-year-old. “I can’t wait to come back.’’

Merrick qualified for the field with his tie for sixth at last year’s U.S. Open, which also put him into the 2009 Open field at Bethpage Black in June. This year, his best finish is a second at the Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer.

Merrick got a look at Augusta National a few weeks ago, then made the best of this week. He opened with a 68 and followed with 74-68 to get into the final-round pairing with easygoing Geoff Ogilvy. Ogilvy, who closed with a 69 to finish at 5 under, had a birdie run of his own -- five in a row -- coming in.

They both started with birdies at the 13th. Merrick birdied the next three holes; Ogilvy the next five.

“Everything was falling together,’’ Merrick said. “We were feeding off each other. The course was set well. The pins were awesome. They were where you could feed the ball in.’’

And the streak? “I tried not to think about it,’’ he said. “I just tried to execute good shots.’’

Merrick got things going with a 6-foot birdie at the third hole, then made a huge right-to-left 25-foot breaker at the fifth and followed with a 3 footer at seven. He gave one back at the ninth, then caught fire after the turn.

Tap-in birdies on the par-5 13th and 15th that sandwiched a 20-footer at 14. Then a 3-footer at 16.

And just what memory will he take away from his first Masters?

“Just the whole experience,’’ he said. “It’s been great. It’s a great atmosphere. There are no better fans on earth.’’