Tiger Wood and the U.S. Open: Rocco Mediate tried

Tiger Woods is in the lead to win the U.S. Open, again. I know you are shocked.

I was at a pool tournament Saturday and they had the Open on the T.V. Everyone asked from time to time where Tiger was. The answer varied a bit, basically he’s in the top 5, and every response would be ‘ok, he’ll win tomorrow’. Such are the expectations facing what I consider the greatest golfer in the world, perhaps ever.

Now how many of the people at the tournament realized that Tiger had recently had knee surgery? Some, though not most. Yet I think that would not change a single opinion.

‘When the man wants to win, everyone else is playing for second,’ as I recall one of the top players once stated (I think it was Ernie Els).

Right now, Tiger is winning by 3. Rocco Mediate, who is a very good player (his 157th in the world ranking aside or included), and I’m sure he will finish as close as possible. But his day was yesterday. He had his chance, he had the lead alone. Then Tiger rallied.

As I recall there has only been 1 player that has beaten Tiger Woods in a playoff match. He’s played quite a few, 14 in all, and they have almost always been for the same reason. Tiger rallied to tie. Once he rallies, everyone else (virtually) folds under the pressure he brings to bear.

Rocco had a great chance. Tiger is not fully healed, and spent the Open without taking the lead. Rocco was playing one of the best games of his career. But with Tiger around, that’s just not enough.

The thing I always find fascinating, and encouraging, is when everyone loses to Tiger. Other than Fuzzy Zoeller they don’t get upset. And it’s not because he has brought more money and excitement into the PGA, and golf in general. It’s because they are playing their A-games against someone who can bring out another level they have never seen. They are part of a living history in action.

The final match of the U.S. Open is not over yet. Tiger could fold to his injuries. Rocco could come up with a level of play he has never done before. But if I were in Vegas I wouldn’t bet against Woods. They couldn’t lay odds that are worth throwing my money away.