U.S. Open
Every golfer, no matter what age or skill, loves to watch the U.S. Open. There was more excitement than usual because for the first time in golf history, the first and second ranked players in the world were matched together for the opening two rounds. These two players are by far the most popular, Phil Mickelson (finished 18th) and Tiger Woods.
Even if you hate golf, you know who Tiger Woods is. Many doubted Tiger this weekend. He had just had major knee surgery six weeks before the tournament. He just hung around par the whole weekend making some of the greatest shots you will ever see on a golf course. When it came down the 18th whole on Sunday, Tiger was there wearing his signature red shirt. He needed a birdie to tie and force the 18 hole playoff. The ball gently rolled along the smooth green and just barely fell to the bottom of the cup. The crowd went insane. That meant that Tiger had a 18 hole playoff with unknown veteran Rocco Mediate.
It was a classic battle of David and Goliath. Tiger being the number one player in the world having won 13 previous majors and 64 PGA tour events and Rocco Mediate who was the 158th ranked player in the world and had never won a major. Tiger took an early lead and it looked all but over for Rocco. But then he fought back like no one has against Tiger ever before. Rocco took a one stoke lead into the 18th over Tiger. All Rocco has to do is hit the fairway with his drive and the U.S. Open championship will be his. The ball flew in the air and right into the sand bunker. Rocco made par and Tiger made his birdie once again to force sudden death. So they headed to the 7th hole and Tiger shot first. Tiger, with ice water in his veins, put it right in the fairway. Rocco put it in the bunker yet again. It came down to one long put to try and save par for Rocco. All was quite. The ball rolled toward the whole and just passes. Tiger Won the U.S. Open.
This was Tiger Woods at his finest. Not his finest golfing performance, but his finest moment because of the resiliency and strength, both mentally and physically, that he showed all weekend.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of 4-H Youth Volunteer, Kevin Siesel. Do you disagree or have something to add? Click here to have your message posted on our website.
U.S. Open Comments
Send us your comments so we can post them here.