Tiger's '08 U.S. Open is one of the greatest performances in sports history. |
Instead of giving you some BS preview of this year's U.S. Open that will sound like I know what I'm talking when I'm really just going to say, "Go Phil. Tiger could always potential win it. Watch out for Bubba, Rickie and all the other Americans," I'm going to give you a chance to relive the greatest U.S. Open of our generation.
Yes, I am talking about the '08 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego. That memorable Open that saw Tiger climb his way back into a playoff with a shredded knee, wincing and grimacing with almost every step. That memorable Open that brought us the quick rise and fall of one of golf's giddiest old men, Rocco Mediate, who wouldn't shut the hell up. But you couldn't hate the guy, not the way he battled golf's best player all the way til the very end.
All the drama began on day three, when Tiger had probably the most ridiculous back nine in recent memory sinking two eagle putts and landing a birdie chip-in right off the pin and in. Tiger of course stormed around the hole on the first birdie like he had just scored a goal in the Stanley Cup Finals, but that is Tiger and that's what adds to the allure of golf's most polarizing figure. I will say the crowd leaping into a frenzy can make you feel like you're at a hockey game for a quick second, and then you sit down and realize you're only watching the slowest game on earth played by an athlete who should probably be playing football or some other highly athletic sport. Then that birdie chip-in is just so absurd that Tiger can only laugh at it and say "Guess it is my day." On that third eagle, Tiger knew it was going in and that was that.
Sunday took a dramatic turn though. After Tiger's scintilating back nine on day three people were expecting a Tiger-esque destruction of Torrey Pines on Sunday, but instead they watched Tiger choke away his lead to a guy named Rocco Mediate(WHO?). So with Tiger one stroke back heading into the 18th, all Rocco Mediate could do was watch. And my god, Jim Nantz may have had the greatest call in the history of golf here.
Of course Rocco's there grumbling to himself in his quirky kinda way, "I knew he'd make it. I knew he was going to make it." Yeah you did Rocco, and so did everyone else. But what was far more surprising than watching Tiger nail that putt to force a playoff, was the way Rocco came out played in that playoff.
Everyone thought that Rocco was done, that Tiger was going to go full attack mode on Monday and beat Mediate by +3 strokes, but that was not the case. Tiger had to once again rally to beat Mediate in a playoff.
It might have been all about Tiger, but Rocco's all-smiles attitude was priceless. |
Overall what made this tournament so memorable went beyond the actual golf in the tournament, though it was absolutely spectacular. It really came down to seeing the best player in the world(at the time) do what he did best, flat out win. However, it also was enjoyable to watch a no-name golfer compete one-on-one with Tiger and not back down for a minute. Rocco's all-smiles attitude was not only nice to see, but it was damn impressive. The guy reviled in the moment, and didn't make it out to be more than it was. He was out there playing a game he loved, and he wasn't worrying about winning or losing he was just trying to have a good time. Obviously, Tiger was going to win. That was pretty much a guarantee once he pulled off that ridiculous third round. But the way Mediate kept pushing the crippled, somewhat heroic Tiger til he couldn't push anymore was as great of a thing to watch as there is in sports.
So while we probably won't get a U.S. Open this year that is even a semblance of '08, we can just hope for two guys battling it out for on Sunday for a chance at glory.
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