Did you see Tiger Woods on Saturday, the Thirteenth Hole? As I watched several attempts prior to him on that same hole, I was reminded of an arcade game. Watching the ball roll backwards. Then Tiger, recovering from recent knee surgery managed to make a 70-foot eagle putt to get back in the game. Amazing. Tiger continued to play amazingly, we were shouting and cheering him on as we watched our television. (As if he would play better with our cheers and encouragements!) He had a chip that he struck too hard, only to bow his head and laugh when it one-hopped into the hole for birdie on the 17th. Woods ended one of his most exciting rounds in a major tournament with a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole for a 1-under 70 and a one-shot lead.
“It’s just the most amazing display of athletic, mental power that there is, there ever was,” said Rocco Mediate, who had a three-shot lead early on the back nine until a four-hole meltdown. “Look at him. He hasn’t played in 10 weeks. There’s no surprise to me, but he hasn’t played for 10 weeks! And he comes here. So I’m not surprised. I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow.”
Tomorrow came. Sunday was again an amazing day. Tiger Woods calmly drained a 12-foot birdie on the 18th hole Sunday to tie Rocco Mediate and force an 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Open. The playoff, which goes Monday, will be the first at a U.S. Open since 2001.
Recent surgery, wincing as he made some of his shots and yet when asked if his knee would make one more round of golf, Tiger is said to have replied, “It’s going to have to.”
