It was the 2008 U.S. Open, of course, and Tiger was in rare (or typical) form. He forced yesterday’s 18-hole playoff against veteran Rocco Mediate, 45, in dramatic fashion on Sunday by sinking an unbelievable do-or-die 2-foot birdie putt.
This then incited Mediate – who would have won if Tiger had missed – to exclaim in contradictory consternation, “Unbelievable! I knew he’d make it.”
But such is the awe and resignation Tiger incites in all of his competitors that Rocco was probably conceding not only that putt but the championship as well:
I’m playing against a monster tomorrow morning. I get to play against the best player that ever played. Whatever happens, happens. I’m happy that I’m here and I will give it everything I have and see what we do.
[Rocco Mediate]
To his credit, however, Rocco put on quite a show yesterday – not least by forcing a sudden-death playoff after trailing Tiger by 3-strokes at 11th hole. But, as it happened (and always seems to happen), Tiger roared in the end to defeat him with another birdie putt after Rocco missed a 20-footer that would have won him the title outright.
Adding to the drama this week was the fact that this was Tiger’s first tournament after a two-month recovery from surgery on his left knee. In fact, there were moments throughout the week when many commentators thought Tiger might withdraw because that knee was causing him such obvious pain.
Indeed, if, like all other players, he were simply playing for the money, Tiger probably would have quit. But, with nearly $1 billion in earnings already, he’s now playing for the history books.
Specifically, Tiger clearly has his sights on Jack Nicholas’s purportedly unbreakable record of 18 majors (i.e., wins in The Masters, The US Open, The British Open or The PGA Championship). And, with yesterday’s win, he now has 14. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before Tiger catches this prey….
On the other hand, one can appreciate the frustration of current players like Rocco who now have to contend with the fact that even with a bad knee and “ebb and flow” play, Tiger is still the man to beat in the coveted majors.
This is probably the greatest tournament I’ve ever had.
[Tiger Woods]
And I’m sure this victory was especially sweet given that it came on a Father’s Day weekend that he was celebrating for the first time as a father himself.
NOTE: When I wrote my tribute to Tim Russert on Saturday, I expressed due regard for the “deluge of eulogies” that followed the announcement of his death. But the way his colleagues have been wallowing in their own grief on TV since then is making a mockery of his profession. Enough already!
Related Articles:
Lynch Tiger Woods?
Win at British Open reduces Tiger to tears
Tiger roars again
Tiger Woods
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.