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Now that’s a finish. When the USGA established the 18-hole playoff to determine the US Open Champion this is what they had in mind: having it come down to a monster birdie put on the 18th hole and then one more sudden death playoff hole. I have to admit, I had my doubts about yesterday. I thought there was a chance that either Rocco or Tiger would have a three or four stroke lead with three to play or something and the whole day would seem a waste.

In reality, the day was kind of a waste. It took us 18 holes to find out that we needed a sudden death playoff. But that’s definitely not the point. The whole day was exciting. The least exciting hole of the day was the 11th hole, which Tiger went into with a 3 stroke lead. After that, it was back to every shot meaning something. The Championship hung on essentially every shot. I can’t even remember how many times Johnny Miller said something like, “This is a very important putt.” Yes, it took all day and 19 holes to determine a winner, but I’m not sure one person who watched yesterday could complain. You just don’t get better days of golf than that.

(Quick side note on Johnny Miller: I usually can’t stand the guy, but this week I could actually stomach him in small doses. I think he finally figured out that no one really cares anymore about the 63 and that there is a chance that Tiger Woods is better than him, something we all have known for years.)

You had to love Rocco hanging in there with every shot. At the beginning of the tournament most people would have said that the guy had no business being on the same course as Tiger, but he sure as hell played like he belonged. He played with an appreciation for the stage that you just don’t see all that often. He loved just being out there and the fact that he hung in with the best there’s ever been for 90 holes was just an added bonus. Tiger couldn’t have had a better adversary yesterday.

Tiger battled right back with Rocco too. He battled all week, and not just Rocco (who was test enough all by himself this week), but his knee and the rust that comes with 6 weeks off. He submitted one of his all time performances and this from the same Tiger Woods who obliterated the field by 12 at the 1997 Masters and by 15 in setting a US Open record at the 2000 US Open. I’m not sure Tiger can ever match this performance. Hobbling around the course and looking like he should have taken another couple of weeks off and still managing to hit simply unbelievable shots and hit just enough of them to win. I’m already excited for Royal Birkdale and the Open Championship. Let’s hope Rocco and Tiger both show up like they did this week…a man can dream can’t he?

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