Limping Tiger, Hidden Opponent

Tiger Woods' tournament-tying putt on the 18th green at the U.S. Open in La Jolla yesterday was very dramatic, and probably quite deflating for Rocco Mediate who has the unfortunate duty to accompany Woods on his 18 hole victory tour today. Mediate's reaction to Woods' putt tells the story:

From an unpredictable lie in the right rough, Woods gouged a wedge out to 12 feet right of the pin. He started to backpedal as the putt neared the hole, paused to make sure it was in, then clenched and pumped both fists toward him with his head to the sky.

"Unbelievable. I knew he'd make it," Mediate said as he watched from a scoring room.

It's over. Barring a physical breakdown by Tiger thanks to his bad knee, he should win handily because he's already beaten Mediate psychologically. It will be pretty boring television since following only one pairing means long gaps between shots, but at the end of the day I expect Woods to get his 14th major.

ESPN will carry the playoff from 9-11 am and NBC will pick up that balance.

UPDATE: Wow. Tied after an 18 hole playoff and Tiger finally wins in sudden death. Rocco gave him a great match.