One tweak changed Troy Merritt's week -- and career

ByJASON SOBEL
August 2, 2015, 9:12 PM

— -- GAINESVILLE, Va. -- When it was all but over, when Troy Merritt was walking down the final hole Sunday afternoon with a 2-stroke lead, when he was preparing to lag a birdie attempt toward the cup that would wind up diving into the bottom just for the heck of it, he received the largest ovation of his career. Spectators crowded around nearby, craning their necks, clapping their hands and shouting their appreciation. Merritt was on the verge of clinching the Quicken Loans National title for his first career PGA Tour victory, so this was new ground for him. He smiled and tipped his cap toward the fans. When the applause died down, he turned to caddie Scott Sajtinac and in his typical understated fashion whispered, "That was nice."