ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd θɹˈiː, mˈɛɹɪmən ˈɔːlsoʊ kˈeɪm klˈoʊs tə bˈiːɾɪŋ dʒˈuːhə sˈælmaɪnən fɚðɪ ˌoʊvɚɹˈɔːl wˈɜːld tˈaɪɾəl, fˈɪnɪʃɪŋ sˈɛkənd ɪnðɪ ˌoʊvɚɹˈɔːl tʃˈæmpiənʃˌɪp ˈoʊnli θɹˈiː pˈɔɪnts tˈuːhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti sˈɪks vˌiːˈɛs. tˈuːhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti nˈaɪn bᵻhˌaɪnd sˈælmaɪnən.
In 2003, Merriman also came close to beating Juha Salminen for the overall World title, finishing second in the overall championship only three points (266 vs. 269) behind Salminen.