Better than all the rest

LA JOLLA -- In the end, he was Rocco, not "Rocky."

And Tiger Woods was Tiger Woods.

And there were no retakes.

Rocco Mediate had his chance to win the 108th U.S. Open, on the 18th green, in a playoff, on the 90th hole, at Torrey Pines.

But when Mediate didn't win it -- missing a 16-foot birdie putt -- Woods did.

The playoff, even at par 71 after 18 holes, was forced into sudden death at the par-four seventh hole.

Woods made par, Mediate made bogey, and it was time to exhale.

"I threw everything I had," Mediate said, "everything I had."

It took 91 holes for Woods to claim his third U.S. Open title and his 14th major championship, leaving him exhausted, relieved, somewhat surprised and only four professional major victories from matching Jack Nicklaus' record of 18.

"It's hard to believe I'm in this situation," Woods, only 32, said.

Unlike the fist pump Woods let loose on Sunday at No. 18 after his 12-foot slider for birdie sent the championship to Monday's playoff, his final rendering was subdued.

Mediate missed his par putt on No. 7, after Woods had made his, then Woods removed his hat, hugged his caddie, hugged Mediate, and savored more than celebrated the win.

Woods has had plenty of major golf moments, but this week might take the rake.

"I think this is probably the best ever," Woods said. "All things considered, I don't know how I ended up in this position, to be honest with you."

It wasn't as dominating as Woods' 15-shot U.S. Open win at Pebble Beach in 2000, but there might be 108 reasons why the 108th Open will remain special.

Woods won despite not playing even a practice round of golf since April 15 surgery on his left knee, a knee that could become Woods' biggest obstacle in chasing down Nicklaus.

Woods won without complete control of his game.

Yet, when he needed birdie at the par-five 18th on Sunday and Monday to keep playing, he made birdie.

"He's not normal," Mediate said. "He's way above everything."

Woods showed a resilient side too, rebounding after blowing a three-shot, back-nine lead.

He also hit more memorable shots in a six-hole stretch Saturday -- two eagles and a chip-in birdie -- than some players hit in a career.

Woods winced and wobbled, grimaced and grappled. He was the drama king.

Mediate made it thrilling to watch by making Woods sweat the details.