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By Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent

Have to hand it to John Merrick.

John Merrick has made 15 cuts in 2007. (WireImage)

Here's a guy who played his way onto the PGA TOUR in 2007 by grinding out a 21st place finish on the 2006 money list. He played in 29 of 31 events and won one, the Peek'n Peak Classic, but sweated bullets until the last putt fell at the Nationwide Tour Championship, eventually sneaking in under the financial wire with less than $10,000 in earnings to spare.

Any sane person might want to take a well-deserved rest in order to savor the significance of his achievement and prepare for a rookie season fraught with unknowns. Apparently Merrick is a gimme short of certifiable.

He had other thoughts.

Unsure of where he might finish on the money ladder, Merrick sent in his application to the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. And he honored his commitment to play in the finals.

Turned out Merrick was crazy all right -- like a fox. All he did was play his way to a tie for fourth place finish, a performance that made an immense improvement on his status, one that opened the door to events he would not have sniffed had he retained No. 21 on the Nationwide graduation list.

For instance, there was no way Merrick would have teed it up in the FBR Open in Phoenix had he not gone clutch in the Qualifying Tournament finals. He finished in a tie for 23rd in the desert, earning $48,200.

Considering he ranks 131st on the money list with $640,483, that paycheck could mean the difference between being exempt in 2008 or a return trip to the Qualifying Tournament finals. He likely needs to earn more than $100,000 in the final two events of '07 to avoid third stage.

But at least he has experience there.

Merrick, 25, took a practical approach when the 2006 Nationwide Tour season ended. He discussed his options with his instructor, Jaime Mulligan, who is based in Palm Springs, Calif., site of the finals.

Together they came to the conclusion that, instead of taking six weeks off, Merrick should play in one competitive event in December, the finals of the Qualifying Tournament, the most dreaded six competitive rounds in golf.

"Whatever happened, I'd have eight days of good work on two courses that would be in TOUR condition,'' said Merrick, who lives in Long Beach, Calif. "Basically, Palm Springs is right down the road for me and Jaime would be right there so that was beneficial. And maybe I'd get a little Christmas bonus.''

The $27,500 Merrick made was nice for holiday shopping purposes, but not as valuable the boost in confidence and status he received that would serve him well in 2007. Nothing could prepare him totally for his rookie season, though, which he said has been a wild ride and an incredible learning experience.

"The cities I've seen have been great,'' he said. "The fans have been great. All the veterans have been great."

And the biggest lesson has been?

Merrick already has two top-25 finishes in the Fall Series. (WireImage)

"I don't want to do anything else,'' he said, smiling brightly.

There also is the valuable experience gleaned from participating in 26 events and counting. Merrick has racked up eight top 25 finishes, including his lone top-10 at Reno-Tahoe, where he played in the final group on Sunday and finished in a tie for fourth. Plus he discovered just how tough he had to be mentally to compete at the game's highest level.

"My goodness, you have to play at such a high level to have any success,'' he said. "And the margin is so small. I know now I need to be a little stronger mentally if I am to succeed.''

Oft times Merrick found himself thinking a little negatively, definitely a no-no. That's when things would start spiraling out of control and he and his game headed downhill together. Learning how to combat those thoughts is all part of growing up on the PGA TOUR.

"So many good things happen when you're thinking correctly,'' he said.

No matter what happens in the season's last two events, Merrick will look on the bright side of his rookie season. In a word, he said everything has been "great.''

"I tell myself that all the time,'' he said. "I'm working hard to stay positive. Whatever happens is gonna happen.''

Give Merrick one do-over and he quickly mentions putting, understandable for a guy who is seventh in greens in regulation. The flat stick has held him back time after time, as his ranking in putting average (164th) and putts per round (179th) indicate.

"I have not been as consistent as I should be, especially in the eight- to 10-foot range,'' he said. "That's the difference between finishing in the top 10 and being an also-ran.''

Merrick paused.

"But hey, I'm a work in progress,'' he said, smiling.