John Merrick
Age: 26
Hometown: Long Beach, Calif.
College: UCLA
Another under-the-radar sophomore, he's the prototype of the modern young player — long, strong and fearless. He was the first-round leader at the Mayakoba after a 64 and eventually tied for third. Last year he finished 135th on the PGA Tour money list but regained privileges, barely, with a final-round 67 to tie for the last spot at Q school. Thus far in '08 he ranks 15th in driving distance, 11th in scoring average and stands 57th on the money list with a little more than $405,000.