Troy Merritt is one of the sleepers on the course but continues to fight. The 38-year-old has a pair of wins on the PGA Tour, but not a single hole has come easy. For Troy Merritt, United States golfer from Iowa, there is more than meets the eye.
Troy Merritt: United States Golfer From Iowa
Early Life and Education
Born in Osage, Iowa on October 25, 1985, Merritt played his high school golf in Minnesota before moving on to Winona State.
Ultimately, he transferred to Boise State, where he finished first team All-WAC. Merritt shot a 62 in the second round of the District VII Shootout, tying the Boise State record.
Together with Zach Johnson, Troy Merritt is one of the most famous names of Iowa’s golf.
Professional Career
Merritt turned pro in 2008 and got his first win on the Nationwide Tour in 2009 at the Mexico Open. He medaled at the 2009 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, leading every single round and dominating nearly every hole. Eventually he became one of the best Iowa golfers of all time.
PGA Tour Wins
He got his first Tour win in 2015 at the Quicken Loans National, setting a course record at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. His second and final Tour win came in 2018 at the Barbasol Championship, a one-stroke win.
Hilton Head Island
Troy Merritt is perhaps best known for his performance at Hilton Head Island for the Heritage. He tied the course record by shooting a 10-under 61, finishing in a tie with David Frost. He finished third in the tournament after a strong Friday, winning $401,200 for his efforts.
Round 1 leaderboard @CoralesChamp ⛳️
1. @WesleyBryanGolf (-9)
T2. @TroyMerritt_PGA (-6)
T2. @Hoffman_Charley
T2. Chan Kim
T2. @JustinLower_1
T2. @Parker_Coody— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 18, 2024
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite having a few successful years on tour, results stopped coming for Merritt heading into the 2024 PGA Tour. Though there are no physical ailments, the struggles have been tough to deal with. He attributes it to a case of “the yipes,” but it has to be a heavy weight on his chest.
Personal Life
Merrit leads a quiet life aside from being on the Tour. He is married to Courtney Achter and has two sons. The family lives in Boise, Idaho, allowing him to stay close and remain tied to Boise State, his alma mater.
Troy Merritt Net Worth
Troy Merritt boasts a cumulative career income of $12,723,836, with an annual average of $1,272,384 in prize money. His net worth aligns with this figure, according to SalarySport.
A professional since 2008, Merritt has competed for 11 years, hailing from the USA. In 2023, his earnings amounted to $1,593,569, with his peak year being 2014-15, during which he garnered $2,092,669.
Recent Performances and Career Highlights
Merritt has been quiet in recent years, carving out a name as a steady golfer. He last contended at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, losing the playoff hole to Cameron Davis.
He has missed the cut in six events on the 2024-25 PGA Tour so far, his best finish being T23 at the Puerto Rico Open.
BLAINE, MN – JULY 27: Troy Merritt hits a tee shot on the eleventh hole during the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 27, 2023 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Legacy and Influence
Troy Merritt isn’t exactly a world-beater on the 2024 PGA Tour, but he continues to be one of the most solid players on tour. He gets results and his past record shows that he is capable of shooting a top score on any day. He is still young enough that he has great days ahead, it is just a matter of finding his stroke and becoming one of the better players on tour again.
Mr. Nice Guy: Troy Merritt just the latest nice guy from Iowa to finish first: http://t.co/5PEZHslcUg pic.twitter.com/aXPQ4w0Ss7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 3, 2015
Future Aspirations
Though he last won at the 2018 Barbasol Championship, he has had some solid results. He was in the lead alongside Cameron Davis and Joaquin Niemann at the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic, illustrating the strength of his play. Going forward, he is a middle-of-the-pack player with the ability to put up a solid score here and there.
Final Thoughts
For Merritt, the goal is to get back to being a solid player. Though he isn’t going to have a top score at a major – his best finish is T41 at the 2022 PGA Championship – he will hang around in other tournaments. He has set a steady pace so far and many agree that he could steal a win in the future.
