Merrick won the Southern California Golf Association Amateur Championship when he was only 19 years old, making him the youngest person since Tiger Woods in 1994 to capture that title.

Amateur at Oakland Hills, he tied for second in stroke play at three-under par 137 (71-66) and advanced to the second round before losing 2&1 to finalist Hunter Mahan.

He gained his 2007 PGA Tour card by finishing 21st on the money list in 2006 after his first professional win at the Peek'n Peak Classic.

After finishing 135th on the money list in 2007, Merrick went back to Q-School where he birdied the last hole to shoot -5 to regain his PGA Tour card for 2008.

Merrick earned his best result on tour to date at the 2009 Bob Hope Classic, finishing 2nd by three strokes to Pat Perez.

A month later, playing in his first Masters, Merrick shot a final round 66 to finish T-6, equaling his best major result to date.

He teamed with Nick Watney in the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, finishing T7, on the strength of a tournament-record 62 for the final day foursomes.

Persevering after a mediocre start to his season, Merrick earned a solo second place at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, one stroke behind winner Dustin Johnson.

His victory earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour (through the 2015 season) and put him in the top-100 in the Official World Golf Ranking, moving from 241st to 74th.

Merrick is now a member of Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, along with fellow golf professionals John Mallinger, Patrick Cantlay, and Peter Tomasulo.