Merrick quietly takes lead at Mayakoba Golf Classic

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PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- While Greg Norman and John Daly were garnering more attention for their first-round performances at the PGA TOUR's Mayakoba Golf Classic, John Merrick quietly took the lead by one shot over three players.

John Merrick opened his first round at Mayakoba the same way he did last year, with a 64. (Ferrey/Getty Images)

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The TOUR's lone venture into Mexico, conducted at El Camaleón Golf Club at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, was to Merrick's liking as he opened with a 6-under-par 64, matching his career low on the PGA TOUR. Trailing by one are Kenneth Ferrie, Robert Damron, David Lutterus and former Masters champion Larry Mize, who turns 50 in September.

In the afternoon, the two-time major champion Daly was 5-under-par at one point and finished with a 66, while El Camaleón course architect Norman was 4-under-par through 10 holes before a double-bogey on the par-3 seventh hole derailed his round. He finished at even-par 70.

Last year, as a rookie, Merrick opened with a 64 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic as well but fell off on the weekend, finishing tied for 48th.

"I felt like today was more of a solid round," Merrick said in comparing the two rounds of 64. "Last year was not a lucky round, but there are rounds where you get really good breaks, and you make a lot of long putts and you may chip in a couple of times. It's a goofy game."

The bonus for the week is that Merrick's fiancée Jody has accompanied him on the trip, with the couple balancing business and pleasure nicely thus far.

"We went out to the beach the last couple of days, had some margaritas," he said. "Maybe I'm just more relaxed down here or something, but I'm having a great time."

After falling out of the top 125 on the money list as a rookie last year, Merrick regained his TOUR card with a T23 finish at the PGA TOUR Qualifying School. In 2008, Merrick's best finish in four starts has been a tie for 16th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

"It's just the experience of being out here every week," he said. "Last year, I didn't know what to expect. I've been working with my coach on staying positive because each week brings an opportunity."