John Merrick, a former UCLA golfer, tied for sixth at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on Sunday. That was big, but how about this? He’s exempt to play in the Masters next year, as well as the U.S. Open at Bethpage. Merrick had to go through qualifying to make this year’s U.S. Open field at Torrey Pines. He shot 73-72-71-71–287 (3-over par).