Course knowledge, shotmaking ability helped Woods overcome pain
But we saw the grimaces. We saw how he needed two clubs, acting as canes, to get out of a bunker. We saw him hobble and limp at times, a somewhat disturbing image for a golfer who's still in the prime of his career and remains the fittest on the PGA TOUR. Tiger didn't need to tell us he was hurting, that he wasn't 100 percent. We could see it.
In his own way, though, Woods finally did offer an indication that winning the U.S. Open on Monday was nothing short of a miracle. After all, he essentially defied doctors' concerns that he might suffer long-term damage to his knee by playing this week. Then he held up under 72 holes, making all the big shots when he needed them. Then another 18 holes in a playoff with Rocco Mediate -- and as if that weren't enough, still another sudden-death hole before finally subduing the pesky and endearing Rocco.
He did all this on basically one leg. And that's why, of the 14 majors Woods has won in his career, he considers this one the best. He didn't just beat Mediate and the other 154 players in the field this week. He overcame himself -- specifically, his own physical frailties. When you stare mortality in the face and can still win ... well, that's as sweet as it gets.
"I don't know how it even got this far," Woods said. "I'm very, very fortunate to have played 91 holes and then come out on top."
Later, as the reflection of the U.S. Open trophy on the podium table in front of him gleamed under the camera lights, Woods acknowledged: "This week had a lot of doubt to it, to be honest with you."
Not Ben Hogan kind of doubt, of course. When Hogan suffered his near-fatal car crash in 1949, it was not known if he'd ever walk again. Fifteen months later, when he won the U.S. Open at Merion, Hogan completed an astonishing return to the top of the golf world.
"Well, I was not in as bad of shape as Ben was," Tiger said when asked about the comparisons. "... I knew I could walk. It was just going to be a little bit on the slow side."
Yet there were doubts. He hadn't walked 18 holes since Augusta. That was also the last time his competitive juices had flowed on TOUR. And just what kind of shape was his game in? Did he really know? Was he really fine-tuned as much as he needs to be going into a major?
It didn't help that he opened Thursday with a double bogey at a No. 1 tee that would prove to be a nemesis all week ... up until the time that he needed a confidence-boosting drive the most, in Monday's playoff when an admittedly nervous Tiger drilled his tee shot in the fairway, giving him a reason for a mini-celebration as he walked straight instead of toward the thick rough.
There were other times that his driver betrayed him. Even his putter let him down with a couple of three-putts. He hit some snipes, hit some slices, hit some very unTiger-like shots.
But the counterbalance was his ability to conjure up magic when he needed it most. His backside 30 on Friday. His three miracle shots on the back nine Saturday. His putt on 18 Sunday to force a playoff. Even the testy four-footers that are nothing about athletic skills and everything about nerves. Tiger made his four-footer for birdie at the 18th Monday to extend the playoff. One hole later -- end of story. End of one of the greatest five days of golfing theater in Tiger's legendary career.
"I've come back from a lot of injuries, too," said Mediate, whose recurring back problems forced him into the announcer's booth at the beginning of last year. "To try to come back and play, obviously not at that level, but I understand what he went through. I'm not surprised.
"Nothing he does surprises me."
Certainly there were no surprises in Woods' ability on Monday to overcome Mediate, perhaps the coolest customer he's ever faced in a head-to-head battle. Tiger went into the the 11th hole with a three-shot lead and the U.S. Open in his back pocket before giving Mediate an opening. Four holes later, after suffering bogeys when finding the bunkers on consecutive tee shots, their scorecards were tied and Mediate had all the momentum.
But momentum is only fleeting when you play Woods. Plus he's practically unbeatable at Torrey Pines, a place in which he knows where all the shots are buried. Had this U.S. Open been on less familiar territory, Woods might have felt a little more out of his comfort zone. But his ability to rely on his knowledge of the course and call upon his own history in shaping his shots paid big dividends. Of course, it didn't hurt that he had the big advantage over the short-hitting Mediate on the par 5s, especially the finishing hole when once again Woods used his length to produce the tying four-footer.
And now he'll rest. How long his hibernation lasts ... well, he's not telling. He was asked about next month's British Open. He was asked about his own tournament, the AT&T National. He wouldn't commit to anything. It could be an extended time before he returns. Knowing he won't go majorless this year might also play into his decision.
Maybe he also wants to bask in the accomplishment of the last five days, his ability to overcome perhaps even longer odds this week than Mediate faced. After all, even though Mediate doesn't have Tiger's ability, he had his health. Tiger didn't, at least not 100 percent. And without a healthy body ...
"Anything and everything happened this week, really," Woods said. "Through all that, all those ups and downs, I ended up being 1-under par for 91 holes.
"Just an amazing week."
No one will disagree.
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