Tiger Roars to the Occasion at U.S. Open

Tiger Woods has that undeniable ability to rise to the occasion when the chips are down.

Leading Rocco Mediate by a shot in the final round of the U.S. Open in San Diego yesterday, Woods needed a birdie on the 18th hole, but hit a driver over the left fairway bunker. Worse, with a nine iron for his second shot, he knocked the ball into the right rough.

An angry Woods threw his club. From a hairy lie 101 yards from the hole, Woods dug out a 60-degree wedge that landed at a point 3.7 meters away. Facing a series of crises, Woods needed an exceptional shot.

The ball turned right and was sucked back into the hole, exciting 20,000 spectators.

Though he limped and suffered from pain in his injured knee, he celebrated his shot.

After beginning with a double bogey on the first hole and a bogey on the second, Woods missed two shots. But thanks to his timely birdie, Woods caught up with Mediate and both finished the final round at one under-283. "The two will play an 18-hole overtime playoff today."

"Woods is a spotless 13-0 when leading in the final round of a major tournament."

When Woods hit the birdie, Mediate watched his opponent on TV in a clubhouse, saying, “I knew Woods would do it. I have to play against a monster.”

Woods is the world’s top golfer with a record 13 major titles and 64 PGA Tour victories. Mediate is ranked 158th with five PGA wins.

If history is any guide, Woods will win but must overcome his physical difficulties since he is set to finish 90 holes over five days in his first action since his surgery in April.

Lee Westwood of England, who played alongside Woods in the final group, missed a birdie on the 18th to finish third.

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