As an Augusta native, golf has been part of my world from the word go. And when you have a father that's a golf fan, watching the US Open is mandatory for Father's Day weekend. As such, even when I'm three hours from Daddy I still devote Father's Day weekend to golf. However, this year the tournament wasn't finished at seventy-two holes. An 18-hole playoff occurred today between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. Rocco had played solid throughout the tournament, holding the lead or a share of it many times. Tiger had the most chaotic major tournament ever. Four double bogeys and three eagles provided drama, as well as critical birdies on eighteen. Playing injured explained part of Tiger's erratic play, but his lack of willingness to give in accounted for his being in contention on Monday. The first nine was back and forth with Tiger's birdies giving him a two stroke lead going into ten. After a par save at ten Tiger had a three stroke lead, but Rocco began chipping away with birdies and pars when Tiger bogeyed, and by fifteen had a one stroke lead himself. Tiger missed putts on sixteen and seventeen to take the lead, but could still tie with a birdie at eighteen. That's exactly what happened, for the second straight day. So, an 18-hole playoff headed for sudden death. Tiger won the tournament with a par on the seventh, which he'd birdied earlier in the round. His fourteenth major and third US Open rank among his best achievements due to his competitors and his competitive spirit. Most other players would've withdrawn, but he fought on and finally kissed the trophy. I wanted a Tiger Woods victory because of the effort he put forth, but many will disagree with me, as Rocco Mediate gained quite a following by seriously threatening Tiger. I just hope that Tiger hasn't jeopardized his season by playing through the pain, as he refused to reveal his plans from here out, including the British Open and PGA.
This was a great way to end a sports weekend that saw the Lakers get redemption, Game 6 will happen on Tuesday. And Kobe Bryant's analogy of the Finals and March Madness, specifically the Elite Eight (just need to win three games) made me smile...once I figured it out. :-/ I'd love to see this be the team that makes history by winning in seven games. On another basketball note, it occurred to me Saturday that today was the deadline for NBA Draft withdrawals.![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
irishrose26 informed me this morning that the three Tarheels that declared for the draft are staying in school. I'm thrilled by this news if not all that surprised by it (just the timing). *Thoughts of NCAA title to come because they deserves it with the core of the team still together*
Oh, and on the subject of Father's Day, both Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant have adorable daughters that got camera time this weekend.
This was a great way to end a sports weekend that saw the Lakers get redemption, Game 6 will happen on Tuesday. And Kobe Bryant's analogy of the Finals and March Madness, specifically the Elite Eight (just need to win three games) made me smile...once I figured it out. :-/ I'd love to see this be the team that makes history by winning in seven games. On another basketball note, it occurred to me Saturday that today was the deadline for NBA Draft withdrawals.
irishrose26 informed me this morning that the three Tarheels that declared for the draft are staying in school. I'm thrilled by this news if not all that surprised by it (just the timing). *Thoughts of NCAA title to come because they deserves it with the core of the team still together*Oh, and on the subject of Father's Day, both Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant have adorable daughters that got camera time this weekend.
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