Rocco Mediate won the 2024 Constellation Furyk & Friends event in early October.
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It’s not easy to become a US Open legend without ever winning the tournament, but few would disagree Rocco intercede fits the bill.
While the veteran PGA Tour and PGA Tour champion has carved out a stellar career — featuring six PGA Tour wins and five more on the Senior Circuit — he will forever be known for the most high-profile loss of his career.
IN 2008 US Open at Torrey PinesMeanwhile dueled with Tiger Woods at the height of his powers (albeit with a damaged knee and broken leg). At the end of 72 holes, Rocco and Woods were tied for the lead.
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Since there are no ties in stroke play golf, a playoff was necessary to determine the winner. At the time, the US Open called for an 18-hole playoff. So the pair returned to Torrey Pines on Monday morning to play their fifth round of the week mano a mano.
Incredibly, after the 18-hole playoff ended, Mediate and Woods were STILL tied, and went into a sudden-death format, which Tiger finished on the first hole for his 14th major championship victory and his last before a comeback win at the 2019 Masters.
The playoff lives on in golf legend, but it will never happen again. In 2018, the US Open ditched the 18-hole playoff in favor of a two-hole overall playoff.
Now a major player on the PGA Champions Tour, Mediate won the Constellation Furyk & Friends in early October and qualifies for next week’s season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
But he still can’t shake the questions about that ’08 US Open. Such was the case Monday in Phoenix, at an event promoting next week’s tournament.
According to Golf weekwhen the topic of the US Open came up, Mediate had the extra holes at the forefront of his mind and offered a hot take on the major playoffs.
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“The 18-hole play-off is over. Which is ridiculous,” Mediate reportedly said. “Every major should be an 18-hole playoff. And if you connect, it should be 18 more. It’s a major. It’s not a normal event.”
The US Open was the last major to play the 18-hole Mediate pins playoff. The PGA Championship requires a three-hole total playoff. The Open Championship playoff is a four-hole total.
The Masters originally had a 36-hole playoff, then switched to an 18-hole playoff until 1976. Since then, the green jacket has been defined by sudden death, which particularly draws the ire of Mediate.
“Sudden Death at Augusta National? What? Masters, we will only have one hole?” Mediation said.
And if he had not been clear about his meaning, the Mediation put a point on it.
“100 percent serious. 100 percent serious,” said Mediate. “”Oh but TV.” I don’t care about TV. I want the trophy”
The 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship begins Thursday, Nov. 7, at Phoenix Country Club. Mediate will start the week in 20th place in the 36-man field.
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