Tiger vs. Rocco Thread

Note: In addition to our commentary, make sure to read Rick from the South Florida Daily Blog's commentary here.

WE NOW GO TO SUDDEN DEATH! Odds have to be with Tiger, especially since he tied the match on 18. Still, I have a gut feeling about Rocco. He's already showed tremendous poise. Can he, once again, recover from the crushing disappointment of near-victory?

Rocco gets killed by a bad drive into the bunker. That led to a second shot left, a chip 20 feet from the cup, and a missed par. Tiger executed steadily, tapping in for an easy par. Tiger wins!

My heart just goes out to Rocco Mediate. He seems to be taking this extremely well, but I feel for him. Let's hope he can use this as momentum for the next round of tournaments.

Around 4:00PM:
We're on 18...Tiger's on the green while Rocco is still hitting from the fairway. Intense, intense, intense!

Both on the green, but Tiger has a stroke at hand. It's essentially even. I can hardly breathe.

Tiger gains the stroke, but Rocco stays alive with a clutch putt! We go to sudden death!!!

3:32PM:
Two holes to go...Tiger ALMOST made a phenomenal putt...it JUST stopped a millimeter from the cup.
Status: Rocco by 1, Through 16

3:21PM:
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, WATCH THESE LAST THREE HOLES! Rocco Mediate sinks a brilliant birdie putt while Tiger misses an easier one. Rocco has gained 4 strokes in the last 5 holes and is 3 holes away from pulling off one of the great golf upsets. WOW!

Interestingly, the preempted programming on NBC, at least here, is Dr. Phil. Rocco Mediate could really use a few calming words from him now. They should fly him out to the course.
Status: Rocco by 1, Through 15

3:05PM:
We're allllll even. For the first time, Tiger has one of his putts lip out. This while Rocco birdies. Could this be Rocco's day? They both birdied the 13th and now we're even at 14. What a match!
Status: Even, Through 14

2:38PM:
Tiger bogeys again while Rocco just manages par. We're back to 1.

The fact is, Tiger is not playing well. He's winning because he slipped in two sensational putts, but his driving and short game has been incredibly shaky. Rocco is still in this thing not through any great play on his part but Tiger's failings. Rocco is +3, Tiger +2 on the day. It's a tough course, but Tiger can do better.
Status: Tiger by 1, Through 12

2:24PM:
Huge break for Rocco. He isn't able to convert on a birdie putt, but Tiger misses from the green for once. Tiger won't give too many bogey assists, so Rocco is going to have to start making birdies. Still, this puts him back in the fight.
Status: Tiger by 2, Through 11

2:15PM:
Things have taken a terrible turn for Rocco Mediate. He appeared to have the advantage on both the 9th and 10th, yet somehow lost a stroke on each hole. Tiger cinched an amazing putt from beyond the edge of the green on 10. With a three stroke lead, the Rocco dream story is looking grim.
Status: Tiger by 3, Through 10

1:45PM:
Tiger Woods is the prohibitive favorite and currently leads by a stroke through 8 holes. Woods led by two shots through 7, but Rocco showed some impressive poise by striking back on the 8th.

I'll admit it...I'm pulling for Rocco. It's nothing against Tiger, but who doesn't love the underdog story? This would mean far more for Rocco than Tiger. Even so, I'd hardly be disappointed in a worthy champion taking yet another trophy.
Status: Tiger by 1, Through 8

I'll be sharing a few comments throughout the remainder of the epic US Open playoff battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. Please feel free to share your own insights in the comment section.

You MUST Watch Tiger vs. Rocco

Follow our in-match commentary here!

If you're anywhere near a TV, on a computer, or capable of taking a few afternoon coffee breaks, you MUST watch the US Open 18-hole playoff today. Use a sick day if you have to. What drama!

In case you missed it, Tiger Woods sunk an amazing 12 ft. putt to tie Rocco Mediate, bringing the US Open to its standard 18-hole playoff. Why is this so compelling? How about the fact that Woods is playing through searing knee pain after arthroscopic surgery. And Mediate? He's 45, has a bad back, and hasn't won anything in years. I've heard a few refer to this as "the Advil playoff," which is dead on.

Here's the TV schedule:

12:00-2:00 EST - ESPN
2:00-Finish - NBC

If you need any more convincing, just know that Rick from SFDB will be watching. Enough said.

Tiger vs. the Field

First off, I'd like to thank the brothers Sponge for inviting me on board. I'm looking forward to sharing my views on all things Florida sports.

Naturally then, my first post will not be about Florida sports, per se. Although with PGA National headquarters, the golf capital of the world, and hundreds, if not thousands of courses in South Florida, golf is surely of interest to many Floridian sports fans.

The Masters tournament begins tomorrow morning, with the first twosome going off at 8 a.m. It's been widely publicized that Tiger Woods thinks the Grand Slam (that would be winning the Masters, the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship) is more attainable this year then ever before, and having won 4 of the 5 tournament's he has entered this year, it wouldn't surprise me if he took all 4 (in the tournament he didn't win, Tiger finished a disappointing 2 shots behind winner Geoff Ogilvy).

Besides Tiger, who else to watch for? Well, Phil Mickelson is the perennial #2, although he hasn't played his best golf so far this year. Ernie Els is always a popular choice, although he hasn't been quite the same since his collapse at Dubai. Despite winning the Honda Classic, he has since missed the cut at the PODS Championship and came in 75th at the WGC.

The tough question is, once you get past the "big 3" (no, not Arnie, Gary, and Jack), who would you bet on? I bring to you my "others-to-watch" at Augusta.

One of the hottest players this year has been Geoff Ogilvy. After missing the cut in the first 3 tournaments of the year, he has posted 3 top-10 finishes, including a win against the best in the world at the WGC-CA Championship. A 2nd place two weeks ago at the Shell Houston Open should have Ogilvy going into the Masters with a full head of confidence.

Perhaps you're looking for a young, up-and-comer to challenge Tiger this year? Take a look at Adam Scott. The 27-year old Aussie has long been on the list of players who might challenge Tiger. However he hasn't quite lived up to the hype yet. Until now. This year, he has posted 3 top 20-finishes plus a win at the 2008 Qatar Masters on the European Tour. The only thing going against Scott is an illness that forced him to withdraw from the Shell Houston Open 2 weeks ago (he still posted an opening round 63). Should he be fully healed and rested, he could post some low numbers.

Maybe you, like myself, don't think any of these "young-guns" have the experience or toughness to go toe-to-toe with the Tiger. Well here's a long shot for you, Bernhard Langer. No one has been hotter on the Champions Tour. 6 of 7 times he's gone out this year, he's finished in the top 25, including a 3rd place and 2 victories. Langer is a 2-time Masters Champion ('85, '93). Yes, it would be a surprise to see Langer's name near the top of the leaderboards, but he's confident and experienced. Langer to show would not be a bad bet.

So there you have 3 players you might not otherwise think of. The common names are out there too, Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Vijay... There are 93 players in the field, 1 Tiger. Who would you bet on? (I'll take T. Woods)

Check back here throughout the tournament for updates and observations.