UCLA Men's Golf on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Last Feb. 15, then-UCLA senior Jonathan Garrick teed it up at the Collegiate Showcase attempting to qualify for the 2016 Northern Trust Open, but fell three shots shy. A year and a day after that round, the Bruin alum will get his chance to tackle Riviera Country Club after advancing through Monday qualifying.
Garrick shot a 6-under 66 at the Eisenhower Course in Industry Hills, Calif. to be one of four qualifiers to earn a berth into this weekend's 2017 Genesis Open at Riviera. The 2016 history graduate will be one of three Bruin alums participating in this weekend's tournament, joining Kevin Chappell and John Merrick.
Garrick, who turned pro after his senior season at UCLA, had two Top 10s in nine events in 2016 on the PGA's Mackenzie Tour Canada. After finishing in a tie for second at Q-School, he tied for third at the Niagara Championship in September and tied for fifth at the GolfBC Championship in June. Garrick's only other PGA TOUR start came last November at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, making the cut and tying for 69th (-2).
Chappell just completed his best professional season on the PGA TOUR in 2015-2016, earning just over $4.5 million in 27 events. He posted a career-high eight Top 10s, including four second-place finishes (The RSM Classic, Arnold Palmer Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, TOUR Championship). Chappell finished eighth in the FedEx Cup standings last season, rising to 35th in the Official World Golf Ranking. In 173 events since turning pro in 2008, he has earned over $11 million, recording six second-place finishes and 19 Top 10 showings.
Merrick, a member of the TOUR since 2007, has totaled $8.9 million in 253 events. He was the winner of this tournament in 2013, one of five Top 3 finishes he has had on TOUR. 2013 was his best season as a pro, as he earned almost $2 million. Merrick has crossed the $1-million mark on four occasions. He has split time between the PGA and Web.com Tours last and this season.