Did anyone forget to tell John Merrick that Masters rookies are not supposed to be doing this.

They are not supposed to be four under after their first competitive day on this golf course. And most certainly should not be making a pair of birdies on the first nine of Day Two – and act as if this is not a big deal.

But the 27-year-old sociology grad from UCLA who made it to Augusta on the merits on his T6 finish at the U.S. Open last year will have none of that. He just keeps playing, and making birdies, and working himself into contention.

The leaderboard at this moment says Merrick is tied for second place, at six under, and he heads to the second nine.

He sure isn’t playing like a rookie.