Despite doctor's advice that he shouldn't be standing, let alone playing 91 holes of golf, Tiger Woods defied not only the doctor’s orders but the odds as well. Faced with a sudden death playoff against silver-haired and amiable-looking Rocco Mediate, Woods sunk the last putt to claim his third US Open Championship, the 14th major title in his illustrious career.

The playoff last Monday was a rare dramatic event in golf history with Woods, still grimacing from his recent knee injury, leading with three shots. By the 18th hole, Mediate was able to catch up and took over with one shot. With a birdie, Woods evened the playing ground with an even-par 71. Again, the game went into second sudden death.

Mediate had trouble in the seventh tee while Woods had a relatively easy time. Woods was ready to putt for the championship but he missed, keeping Mediate's chance at the title. The back and forth play went on until they arrived at the 18th hole. Woods attributed his win to a mistake that Rocco made by putting himself on the fairway and "didn't give himself the chance to go for it in two".

Woods consider this his most meaningful win, suffering from knee injury and still clinching the 108th US Open title to match Jack Nicklaus' 18 major title wins. Rocco Mediate was also determined to win this, hoping to the oldest man to win the title at 45 years old and 5 months. Although his hopes crushed, the enthusiastic golfer declared he "never had more fun". Formerly ranked 11th in the world, his runner up win in the US Open will propel him to 47th in this year's world rankings.