On 16 June 2008, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in a 19-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate, securing his 14th major championship. He did so on a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a double stress fracture in his left leg — an injury that would require immediate surgery and end his season.
A 12-footer to survive Sunday
Woods arrived at the 72nd hole trailing and needing a birdie to force an 18-hole Monday playoff. He faced a 12-foot putt, studied it for a long moment, and rolled it straight into the cup. All week he had walked with an almost imperceptible limp, masking the pain.
Ninety-one holes of doubt against Mediate
The Monday playoff twisted repeatedly, Woods opening a three-shot lead with eight holes to play before losing it. Mediate, 45 and bidding to become the oldest U.S. Open champion, stood on the 18th tee one stroke ahead. He had a 20-foot birdie putt to win, but pulled it just slightly wide.
Woods then reached the par-5 18th in two, his 45-foot eagle attempt rolling some four feet past the hole. When he struck the return, the birdie putt tumbled in. Both men signed for even-par 71, and the playoff moved to sudden death.
A tap-in par seals a third U.S. Open
On the first extra hole, the 19th of the day, Mediate drove into a bunker while Woods found the green. Woods tapped in for par. Mediate needed an 18-foot putt to extend the contest, and missed.
Afterward, Woods told reporters it was "probably the best ever." The victory also fell on his 500th week as the world's number one.
The win joined Woods with Jack Nicklaus as the only two players to complete the career grand slam three times. A plaque now stands near the Torrey Pines 18th green. It reads, simply, "Expect Anything Different?"
