Tiger Takes U.S. Open Lead with Amazing Close
 |
James Joyner | Sunday, June 15, 2008 |
Tiger Woods shot two eagles in the final six holes to take the lead in the 2008 U.S. Open.
Tiger Woods delivered a performance worthy of prime time Saturday in the U.S. Open. He kept an East Coast television audience and a sellout crowd at Torrey Pines in suspense when his left knee buckled and he nearly dropped to the ground from the sheer pain, limping along with his club as a cane. The drama came on the last six holes, when he turned a five-shot deficit into a one-shot lead.
And the amazing array of shots that put him atop the leaderboard? Pure science-fiction.
“The stuff he does, it’s unreal,” said Rocco Mediate, who watched it all unfold from the group behind.
First came Woods’ 70-foot eagle putt on the 13th to get back in the game. Then it was 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 with a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole for a 1-under 70 and a one-shot lead over Lee Westwood.
It was pure theater at Torrey Pines, leaving 50,000 fans and even his competitors wondering what hit them.
“It’s just the most amazing display of athletic, mental power that there is, there ever was,” said 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.”
Simply amazing.
- Tiger Woods wins Buick Invitational; ties Arnold Palmer on all-time win list
- Tiger Woods, Rocco Mediate, A US Open playoff, and 13
- Declawed- Tiger Woods win streak ends at seven
- The Invincible One(?)
- Tiger Woods may not play the rest of 2008
- ‘Rusty’ Tiger Fires 68, 1 Off Open Lead
- Will Tiger Woods be rusty when he returns to the PGA Tour?
- From Grand Prarie and Hooters tours to Masters Champ
- Tiger Woods Leads British Open
- Fourteen holes with Sherri Steinhauer and Christina Kim
- NFL QB Daunte Culpepper announces his retirement
- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver cut by dugout bench
- Former US Open Golf Champ Tommy Bolt dead at 92
- Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs exchange defensemen
- Nashville Predators suspend Alexander Radulov for playing in Russian league
- Paul Azinger names his four Ryder Cup Captain’s selections
- Girl kicker booted off High School football team
- Jacksonville Jaguar OT Richard Collier shot
- Oakland Raiders agree to 1-year deal with WR Ashley Lelie
- NY Giants sign DE Jerome McDougle
Comments are Closed
