The Decade Series is finally back with the best golf game...well, match, of the decade! While one man had to be involved (that Tiger Woods fella we've already covered earlier), which of his victories was the most memorable? Where so many others had failed to challenge Tiger on the grand stage up 'til 2008, one man stood finally stood up to be counted, Rocco Mediate. What unfolded was perhaps not just the most compelling golf of this decade, but of all time. Relive the drama here, at Randall Simon's Sausages!
Who: Tiger Woods vs. Rocco Mediate
What: U.S. Open
Where: Torrey Pines in San Diego, California
When: June 12-16, 2008
How It All Unfolded: Since the day the 2008 U.S. Open was scheduled to be played at Torrey Pines, Tiger Woods was the favorite. All Tiger had done up to the 2008 U.S. Open was win the Buick Inviational played at Torrey Pines a record six times, including four straight. Tiger seemed unstoppable and would surely challenge for the true Grand Slam on the heels of a five-event winning streak. Surprisingly, Tiger struggled by his own lofty standards at the 2008 Masters even in finishing 2nd. Off the heels of the Masters in April, Tiger underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, shelving him until the U.S. Open. Even though Torrey Pines was clearly Tiger's house, no one knew how his balky knee and the time off would affect his chances.
Meanwhile, his ultimate foe, Rocco Mediate, took a much different path to the 2008 U.S. Open. Mediate was a journeyman known more for his gentle demeanor and good-natured sense of humor than his golfing prowess. Mediate only had registered 5 PGA Tour wins, none since 2002 and had battled debilitating back problems throughout his career. Rocco's success in the majors was also limited; he had either missed the cut or did not play in 15 of the last 19 majors. Rocco only made the field of the 2008 U.S. Open through a regional qualifier and wasn't even a blip on the radar.
As the tournament began, Tiger Woods was in obvious pain. But somehow, after two rounds Tiger found himself in a share of second place, along with Mediate and Swede Robert Karlsson. These three were at 2-under and found themselves one back of Stuart Appleby. Then came perhaps the most compelling Saturday in major championship history...I'll let the highlights speak for themselves (I apologize in advance for the presence of Scott Van Pelt and later Johnny Miller in these highlights).
Despite playing on virtually one leg, and at one point being behind five shots, miraculously Woods found himself alone at the top of the leaderboard after Day 3. Sunday would surely be just another coronation. After all, Tiger was 13 for 13 when having the lead in the final round of a major. Tiger was at 3-under, paired with Lee Westwood one shot behind. Mediate was two back at 1-under after fading on the back nine on Saturday. But, as the final round on Sunday began, Woods uncharacteristically stumbled out of the gate with a double bogey at the 1st. Ahead of him on the course, Mediate was finding the magic that brought him to the lead on Saturday, surging to the lead on the back nine.
By the time Rocco stood on the 18th green, he had a one-shot lead on Woods and Westwood. With a chance to go up two with a birdie, he was unable to capitalize for the second straight hole. Mediate would make par to finish at 1-under for the tournament. Both Woods and Westwood knew an eagle would win and a birdie would force an 18-hole playoff the next day. Westwood missed his birdie chance, while Tiger would once again stamp his mark on history with one of the most clutch putts ever...
Of course he was going to make it, he's Tiger Woods, the greatest athlete of the decade! Now that finally Woods had overcome a tough course, his balky knee, and the gritty Mediate, he would easily lift the U.S. Open trophy in the one-day playoff the next day, right? But even after going up three shots after 10 holes on Monday, Mediate wouldn't give up. With the crowd firmly behind the underdog, Mediate rallied to wrestle away the lead with birdies on 13, 14, and 15. After pars by both on 16 and 17, it would all come down to the par-5 18th. Once again, Mediate had a chance to close the door with a birdie, but missed. For the second straight day, Tiger tied Rocco with a birdie at the last to force sudden death. Rocco was clearly deflated. For the second time in two days, he had a chance to beat Tiger Woods in a major, and just couldn't do it. After 90 holes of golf, the two men were still inseparable. One hole later though, Tiger Woods finally won the U.S. Open by parring the first hole of sudden death to claim his 14th major.
Why We'll Remember It:
Days after the U.S. Open the sporting world learned Tiger Woods was playing with a double stress fracture in his left leg. He also would need to undergo reconstructive surgery on his ACL, resulting in missing the rest of the 2008 season. Meanwhile, his partner in history, Rocco Mediate would once again fade in to the anonymity of the PGA Tour without Tiger Woods. In the year and a half since, Tiger had come back to contend for majors and win every other tournament in sight. Rocco though has struggled to recapture the magic of that weekend, fighting back problems, and posting only one Top 10 finish in 2009.
But, for one weekend, in the most compelling golf tournament of the decade, Rocco Mediate stood toe-to-toe with the greatest golfer of our lifetime for 91 holes. Mediate was able to rise to the occasion and take his game where no one, including himself, thought possible. Not only that, he drew even more greatness and determination out of Tiger Woods, something no one thought possible either. Even though it was Woods who lifted the trophy at the end of the day, Rocco was a winner in every sense of the word, especially in the hearts and minds of all who pulled for the plucky underdog throughout the week.
Sadly, Rocco Mediate may just become a name attached to the greatest performance of Tiger Woods's career. On numerous occasions since, Tiger has called this his greatest victory, not just for the drama, but for the adversity he overcame to win. For once in his dominant career, Tiger seemed to have all the odds stacked against him. Yet, he showed the sporting world the depths of his talent, his drive, and his courage. When grandfathers are telling the greatest of sports stories years from now, when parents are teaching their kids the wonderful game of golf, you know it won't take long before Tiger Woods enters the conversation. And the first film they'll look to to explain his greatness will be the 2008 U.S. Open, that's why it's the best tournament of the decade, and perhaps any decade past, or future.
Others Considered:
-2000 PGA Championship: Tiger Woods duel with Bob May
-2005 Masters: Tiger outlasts Chris DiMarco
-2004 Masters: Phil Mickelson finally breaks through
We hope you've enjoyed this brief walk down memory lane to 2008 and our Game of the Decade in golf. Join us next time in our Games of the Decade Countdown when we'll relive the NBA's greatest game of the 2000's. Also, look for our Thanksgiving extravaganza preview type article as well. Until next time, Gobble Gobble!
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