Tiger Woods Wins U.S. Open Playoff

Tiger Woods prevailed in the U.S. Open Golf Championship Monday, beating fellow American Rocco Mediate in a nail-biting playoff at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

For the 32-year-old Woods, the win marked his 14th professional major, leaving him just four behind the record held by Jack Nicklaus, and was his third U.S. Open title.

Both Woods and Mediate finished regulation Sunday tied at 1-under par for the tournament. They were the only players of the 156 who started the event last Thursday to end under par.

When the U.S. Open completes four rounds with a tie at the top, an 18-hole playoff is used, but this time, even that wasn't enough to settle the matter. Like Sunday, Mediate led Woods by one on the 18th tee. And as was the case just a day ago, Woods birdied the hole, while Mediate took a par.

That meant sudden death, and on the 19th hole of the day, Mediate's drive sailed left into a fairway bunker. His approach was short and left of the green. Woods, though, found the putting surface with his second shot. Two putts later, it was over, and Woods was in a familiar place -- the winner's circle.

The victory for Woods, who is always expected to contend for the trophy in any major, was among the most impressive of his 12-year pro career. Just after the Masters in April, the world's No. 1 player underwent surgery on his left knee that kept him out of competition for two months. Heading into the U.S. Open, he had only played a handful of holes, none against his fellow professionals.