Tiger Woods Wins U.S. Open Playoff

Throughout the tournament, the Southern California native was bothered by knee pain, particularly on drives. However, he was a factor from the beginning, ending the first day just four shots off the lead.

After rocky but overall impressive showings Friday and Saturday, Woods began the final round at 3-under par, leading by one stroke over England's Lee Westwood, with whom he played in the last group. But both men struggled at times, ultimately firing 2-over par rounds of 73. That left Westwood even for the 108th playing of the Open, and Woods tied with Mediate at 1-under.

In order to force the playoff, Woods, with the type of drama only he can provide, needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to match Mediate, who played in the next-to-last group and went into the clubhouse with the lead at 1-under. He got it with a 12-footer that bounced along the green before rolling into the cup in front of thousands of near-hysterical fans.

Mediate arrived at the U.S. Open ranked 158th in the world, but he'll certainly move up following his best showing in a major. The 45-year-old Pennsylvania native, who had to play in a qualifier just get in last week, has five career victories on the PGA Tour. Woods collected his 65th Tour win.

For a time, it appeared Mediate was going to pull off what would have been easily one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game. Had he won, his effort would have probably been the most unlikely since Jack Fleck defeated Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the 1955 U.S. Open.

The next of golf's four majors will take place in July, when the Open Championship is contested at Royal Birkdale in England.