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Woods Wins US Open on 19th Hole

World No. 1 blows big lead in 18-hole playoff, then wins in sudden death

By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2008 3:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – With a throbbing knee and a pounding heart, Tiger Woods made one last improbable escape Monday and won the U.S. Open in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate, his 14th career major and maybe the most amazing of them all. One shot behind on the 18th hole after a collapse no one saw coming, Woods birdied the 18th hole to force sudden death at Torrey Pines against a 45-year-old with a creaky back who simply wouldn't go away.

But that one extra hole was enough to doom Mediate, trying to become the oldest U.S. Open champion at 45 years, 6 months. He put his tee shot in the bunker at No. 7, knocked his approach off a cart path and against the bleachers, chipped some 18 feet past the hole and missed the par putt. On the verge of one of golf's greatest upsets, Mediate instead became another victim.

Tiger Woods tees off on the 12th hole during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods tees off on the 12th hole during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tiger Woods tips his cap after making birdie on the 18th hole to tie and force sudden death play against Rocco Mediate during an 18-hole playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods tips his cap after making birdie on the 18th hole to tie and force sudden death play against Rocco Mediate during an 18-hole playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf...   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Tiger Woods reacts as his ball comes short of a birdie putt on the 16th green during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods reacts as his ball comes short of a birdie putt on the 16th green during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Rocco Mediate waves to the gallery as he walks up the 18th fairway during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Rocco Mediate waves to the gallery as he walks up the 18th fairway during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Rocco Mediate laughs as he saves par on the sixth hole during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Rocco Mediate laughs as he saves par on the sixth hole during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Rocco Mediate, left, and Tiger Woods cross paths as they tee off on the seventh tee during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Rocco Mediate, left, and Tiger Woods cross paths as they tee off on the seventh tee during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego....   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Tiger Woods, left, hugs Rocco Mediate following his US Open championship victory after a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round for the at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods, left, hugs Rocco Mediate following his US Open championship victory after a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round for the at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008...   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tiger Woods, right, hugs his caddie Steve Williams winning the US Open championship after a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods, right, hugs his caddie Steve Williams winning the US Open championship after a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in...   (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tiger Woods follows his ball as he comes out of a bunker on the eighth green during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.
Tiger Woods follows his ball as he comes out of a bunker on the eighth green during a playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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LA Times coverage of Woods and Mediate
Los Angeles Times

San Diego Union-Tribune coverage
San Diego Union-Tribune

 
golf • Tiger Woods • San Diego • US Open • Torrey Pines • Rocco Mediate • playoff • US Open Golf

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