Merritt's bogey-free round gives him lead after Round 4

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Troy Merritt completed a bogey-free round of 5-under 67 Sunday to take a three-shot lead into the fifth round of the PGA TOUR's Qualifying Tournament at Bear Lakes Country Club.

Merritt

Merritt, who won the Mexico Open on the Nationwide Tour this year, birdied two of his final six holes to open a three-shot lead over TOUR veterans Jay Williamson (69), Jeff Maggert (68) and Graham DeLaet (69). Merrrit is at 17-under 271.

The fourth round had to be completed Sunday morning after two rain delays of almost five hours interrupted play Saturday. The leaders won't finish their fifth round today -- they'll likely get in 14 or 15 holes -- but the six-round q-school is expected to finish on schedule Monday.

Billy Horschel and Andrew McLardy posted 69s and are tied for fifth place at 275, a shot ahead of J.P. Hayes (73), Martin Flores (68) and Matt Jones (67).

There are 25 players who are 8 under or better after 72 holes; the top 25 and ties earn their PGA TOUR cards for next year.

Coincidentally, Merritt and Delaet both played collegiately at Boise State. DeLaet was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2006, with Merritt earning similar honors in 2007 and 2008.

Former world No. 1 David Duval struggled to a 79 in the fourth round, dropping from 36th place to 108th.