It came down to the 18th hole. Tiger was behind by a stroke. Rocco sat in the clubhouse the leader.
“Tiger Woods is just freakin amazin” as my 12 year old nephew stated as he was pacing in front of the TV yesterday afternoon. I laughed. Out ot the mouth of babes I was thinking.
Considering Tiger is coming off his third knee surgery, I was surprised he was even close at the end of the U.S. Open. As I watched the last 9 holes from Torrey Pines course in La Jolla, I thought that he would at best be second, most likely third. He was playing real good golf, but not the attacking Tiger golf. He just looked like that knee was not right. He game was off.
I wished I had his “off” game.
So as Tiger lined up for that 12 foot putt, my nephew and I were both standing, holding our breathes, silent. I like it that the young one has realized that you are suppose to be quiet when putting is going on. It was a bonding moment for us.
One man. One putt. One chance to tie.
As Tiger lined the putt up, I thought “he is going to make this” and then laughed inside. How could he? Could he really?
My nephew was intently watching the scene. I noticed that my nephew had started to cup his hands over the bill of Giants baseball cap just like Tiger does when studying the putting grass. Then he slowly pronounced in the gravest of 12 year old tones, “that is a long putt.”
The stakes were very big and very simple: make it, and Tiger Woods would force a Monday playoff with Rocco Mediate. If he missed it, and Woods would have to live with his first come-from-ahead Sunday loss in a major.
Tiger lined up the putt, wearing his trademark Sunday red shirt. Slowly he drew the club back and swung. The “swoosh” ball bounced and rolled and was sliding. And then magic time. Tiger time.
I am still not sure who yelled louder, the watching gallery or my nephew and I.
Tiger will be a prohibitive favorite Monday, given his 10-1 career playoff record (2-0 in majors). He hasn’t lost a playoff in a decade. And my nephew and I will be watching.
—————
1:33 pm Update – It took 19 holes, but Tiger won it an epic golf battle! Nephew sat in the office with me and watched the match on the computer.
Tweet
