AUGUSTA, Ga. — There were more celebrated Masters rookies in this year’s field, but none of the first-timers matched John Merrick at Augusta National Golf Club this week.
Merrick started the day at 2 under — nine shots off the lead. He posted Sunday’s low round — a 6-under 66 that included four consecutive birdies starting on No. 13.
“I’m more excited the way I played this week, being my first Masters,” Merrick said. “I can’t wait to come back.”
Merrick’s 8-under 280 matched the second-best showing among Masters rookies held by five others, most recently done by Chris DiMarco in 2001.
Merrick’s score put him tied for sixth with Tiger Woods, Steve Flesch and Steve Stricker, and it matched Trevor Immelman’s winning total from last year.
“I think the more times you come here, the better it gets,” fellow first-timer Ross Fisher said. “It’s a golf course that really suits my game, and I feel like I can really contend here in future years.”
Fisher, who posted a 69 Sunday, and Rory McIlroy, who shot a final-round 70, were also in red numbers for the final 18 holes. Anthony Kim, who set a Masters record for most birdies in a round Friday with 11, shot 2 over Sunday. Kim and McIlroy finished tied for 20th at 2 under, a shot better than Fisher.
Here eagle, eagle
Dustin Johnson pulled off back-to-back eagles Sunday, making a 20-foot putt on No. 13 and holing out from 182 yards from the pinestraw left of the fairway with a 6-iron at No. 14.
“I knew it was good when I hit it, but I didn’t think it was going in,” Jonhson said of his second at the 14th that helped salvage a 1-over 73 Sunday. “Then I saw the crowd, everybody behind the green jumping up and down, so I knew I made it. That was pretty cool.”
It was only the second time in Masters history a players has recorded back-to-back eagles. Dan Pohl did it on the same two holes in 1982.
Chattanooga press support
Sitting in the press building at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday morning were at least four Hamilton County residents.
Wayne Brantley of Hixson and Brad Sundstrom and Erik Johnson of Chattanooga were eating breakfast before heading to work — even if they would hardly call it that.
“My job is to work as little as possible,” Sundstrom said with a smile.
The trio of friends works as runners carrying photo equipment for different media outlets that are covering the Masters. Brantley, who like Sundstrom is a member at Black Creek Club, said there was a little compensation involved, but the big thing was the badge that came with the assignment.
“Masters tickets are hard to come by,” Brantley said.
Sundstrom, who was picked in the media lottery to play the Masters course in 2002, has been doing part-time work here for the last 11 years and started bringing for Brantley and Johnson along about five years ago.
“Yeah, I’ve had to drag them down here kicking and screaming,” Sundstrom joked.
Pounds of Flesch
Amid the roars and rumblings caused by the high-profile pairing of Woods and Phil Mickelson, Flesch secured his spot in next year’s Masters with a strong showing.
He recorded the lone eagle on No. 2 of the final round and was 3 under through three holes Sunday. He used the early momentum to post a 5 under 67 — the same score as Mickelson and one better than Woods — to secure a tie for sixth.
The top 16 and ties earn a spot in next year’s field.
Todd Hamilton, who was in the final year of his five-year exemption for winning the 2004 U.S. Open, also booked his spot for the 2010 Masters. Hamilton finished tied for 15th with Geoff Ogilvy at 5 under.
