Los Angeles native, John Merrick won the Northern Trust Open at Historic Riviera Country Club with a par on the second sudden death playoff hole.

Merrick (FJ ICON and StaSof) shot three consecutive rounds under par to sit three strokes behind the 54 hole leader and defending champion, Bill Haas.  With Haas struggling over the final 18, the UCLA product, Merrick capitalized making birdies on the tenth and eleventh holes to reach twelve under par.  A late bogey let Merrick's competitors back into the tournament before parring in to post eleven under par.  At the end of regulation, only one could match his score.  

Moving to the 18th hole, both players managed to escape with pars on the first playoff hole.  Moving to the famous drivable par four tenth hole, Merrick conservatively laid back to 90 yards leaving a full lob wedge into the green.  Merrick played the wedge to 15 feet of the pin and calmly two putted for the win.

When asked what this win meant to Merrick, he was nearly speechless,"I can't put this into words. Growing up as a kid, coming out here, I just wanted to play this tournament."

This is Merrick's first win on the PGA Tour, also earning the 30 year old a spot in this year's Masters Tournament.

Northern Trust Open Shoe Count

FJ - 58%

Nearest Competitor - 21%

CLICK HERE TO ENTER FJ WIN, YOU WIN

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents 18 years or older. Sweepstakes will begin at 12:01AM ET on 02/18/2013 and end 02/21/2013 at 11:59PM ET.

FootJoy proudly announces the selection of John Patrick Pignetti as its 2012 Sales Representative of the Year, his second time receiving the honor. The official presentation to recognize Pignetti for this distinguished award took place recently at the FJ National Sales Meeting in Orlando. 

JP has been a valuable contributor to the Acushnet Company for more than 15 years, the last 11 with the FJ brand. Following his graduation from Penn State University, JP honed his sales skills in the Titleist Customer Service and Leadership departments. JP's first position with FootJoy was as an associate sales representative in Atlanta where he earned two FJ Gold Circle awards in three years. In 2004, JP moved to Birmingham, AL where he relished the opportunity to manage his own territory.  During his five year tenure in Alabama, JP continued his solid performance, earning four Gold Circle awards and his first Sales Representative of the Year Award in 2006. 

In 2009, JP received the opportunity to return to his dream territory in Atlanta and has excelled from the very beginning. He has delivered exceptional sales growth across all product categories and earned another three Gold Circle awards in that time, bringing his FootJoy total to an impressive 9 in 12 years. 

"JP Pignetti is the consummate sales professional and a trusted business partner with all of his customers," said Jim Morrison, Vice President, FootJoy U.S. Sales. "Regardless of challenges that may be present, JP works relentlessly to drive win-win solutions for the long term."

JP and his family reside in Atlanta, GA. 

Would you like a chance to win the all new M:Project shoe from FJ before they hit store shelves?  Well here is your chance!

The M:Project shoe is all about feeling the ground during the swing, being "in-tune with what is underfoot." 

When you're out playing golf, what's the best feeling you have experienced? Is it a buttery 5 - iron with a slight draw? Is it the ocean breeze as you walk up the 18th? Draining a putt on the final hole to take home the days' bets?

Comment below telling us what your best feeling in golf is and you are entered to win!

Ladies out there? Please enter as well and if you win we will offer you a comparable shoe from our women's line! Unless you are willing to wait until June when the Ladies M:Project shoes will be ready to ship.

The period to enter will be Thursday January 31, 2013 - Friday February 8, 2013 at 12:00 pm.  Two winners will be chosen at random February 8, 2013 following the sweepstakes period.

Void where prohibited. Open to US residents 18 years or older.  For additional rules and regulations click here.

REMINDER : To comment you must have a community profile, if you do not have one click here to register for the FJ Community - http://www.footjoy.com/community/user/createuser.aspx

The new face of FJ Apparel across the pond is Austrian, Bernd Wiesberger. Twice a winner in 2012, Bernd looks to take his momentum from last season and really make a splash in the golf world during 2013. 

Bernd stated in a recent interview with Sky Sport, "Last year was great and I want to at least match my success of last year and give myself the best chances to win big tournaments and improve my world ranking to enable me to compete in as many Major Championships and World Golf Championships as possible. It's all about winning championships and getting myself into good positions to challenge for big titles this year." 

He even went as far to mention his fresh new apparel for the new year, "I really enjoy looking good on the golf course and feeling comfortable, so naturally I am really excited to be one of FootJoy's Apparel ambassadors in 2013. I really enjoy the FJ collection and have just been introduced to the whole line up for the 2013 season, which I am honoured and excited to be wearing this year on tour. It's important that you wear high performing golf apparel so that you can play your best in whatever weather conditions you may face out on the course. Whether it is golf clubs or apparel, a golfer's equipment should be the best fitting for that individual to perform their best and this is where FJ excel."

Bernd, we are just as excited as you are and look forward to having a stellar year with you representing FJ on the worldwide circuit!

Many remember Chris Wood for his T5 performance in the 2008 British Open as an amateur and instant success seemed imminent for the Englishman for placing so high on one of golf's grandest stages.  Fast forward to the 2013 Qatar Masters, where Chris Wood capitalized on all of his potential by claiming the championship with a final round 69 to win by one. 

Beginning the day with a three stroke lead, Wood showed some early jitters with a double on the 223 yard third hole.   He fought back to even par for his round with two late birdies on the front nine.  Wood's play steadied on the back nine making seven pars and one birdie through the first eight holes.  One stroke back on the final hole Wood, in FJ SPORT Spikeless, unleashed a bomb right down the middle of the fairway leaving him a six iron into the the par five.  With great precision Wood played the six iron to 10 feet of the hole.  Two putts for a playoff and one putt for the win, Wood curled the putt right into the heart of the hole for eagle, fist pumping his way to his first European Tour victory.

"There’s an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders today, I feel like I can go on and win more."  Continuing, still elated from the closing eagle, "I knew it was going to be hard no matter how I played - winning on The European Tour is not easy. I've been knocking on the door in previous times and it's not happened. To get it today, to get my first win, it's such an honor. I'm so pleased.”

This is Wood's first European Tour victory in his 116th European Tour event.  The win will also move Wood into the sixties on the Official World Golf Rankings, potentially earning him a spot in the Accenture Match Play.  Chris Wood is also the first FJ player to win in one of our spikeless models.