Merrick Fails to Maintain His Momentum

As he moved forward after completing one of the most thrilling rounds of his career, John Merrick felt the high. He walked with a bounce in his black shoes. His chest puffed from his collared shirt with confidence. He didn't want to become too excited about Friday's performance, but he couldn't help but think an encore was possible.

Then he went out and shot a 2-over-par 72 yesterday.

Merrick couldn't follow Friday's 64, which tied for the second-best score during the AT&T National's second round. Instead, Merrick opened weekend play by posting the worst score of his three days at Congressional Country Club, and he wasn't sure why.

"That's what's so crazy about it," Merrick said. "I didn't feel that different at all. It's just one or two shots at the wrong time, and the momentum can really turn against you. If I knew what it was, I wouldn't be doing it."

If he knew, he would have avoided problems on the par-4 No. 11. Sitting at 4 under, Merrick's drive crashed into a mound of weeds left of the fairway. Moments later, he approached his ball, studied it, took a strong swing and slumped as the ball dribbled about 20 yards forward, still stuck in tall grass. From there, he made double bogey.

"Number 11 was the dagger for today," Merrick said. "You have to hit the fairway. You can't hit it left.

"It's just one of those days."

It was one of those days when he started well but couldn't maintain his momentum. He birdied the par-3 No. 2, where he spun his second shot inches from the hole. Then, on the par-4 No. 3, his troubles began. He crushed his second shot into tall grass left of the green. On his third stroke, the rough caught his iron and made the ball stop short of the fringe. He bogeyed, and pursed his lips as he turned his back from the pin.

From there, shots that fell Friday escaped him. Friday's round included four birdies and two eagles, but he managed just three birdies yesterday. His card included three bogeys to go along with the double at No. 11, and he only shrugged as he searched for an explanation.

"It's such a fine line between what I shot yesterday and a 72," Merrick said. "It's just a couple shots here and there, momentum and a couple putts. Yeah, it's a crazy game."

Said Jeff Maggert, Merrick's playing partner: "Whenever you post a score, it's sometimes hard to keep the momentum going. He played well at times today, but we both struggled."

Merrick didn't struggle Friday. He became a gallery favorite on the front nine, where he finished the final five holes at 5 under, including an eagle on the par-5 ninth. After the flurry, he began the third round four shots behind leaders Jeff Overton and Tom Pernice, Jr.

When things weren't going as well yesterday, Merrick maintained his composure. He stood erect after errant shots, rarely showing displeasure. When a birdie putt failed to fall on the par-4 No. 12, he swept his right hand but didn't say a word.

"I did my best with each shot," Merrick said. "Whatever happened, I accepted it and moved on. I've been doing that all week. I'm still in there."