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Rocco Mediate

Rocco Mediate played a starring role in one of the most memorable U.S. Opens in recent memory, taking Tiger Woods to an 18-hole playoff and an eventual sudden death situation before ultimately finishing as the runner-up at Torrey Pines in San Diego. After coming back from back surgery in 1994, he rose to the 12th-ranked player in the world in 2003 before more back problems forced him to use a one-time exemption to keep his PGA Tour playing card. After having to go through a 36-hole sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, just to participate in the 2008 U.S. Open, Mediate's thrilling run garnered him an unprecedented amount of media attention, even appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. PSR Editor Tony DeFazio caught up with fellow Greensburg native Mediate last month before the opening round of the Buick Open.

Q: It's been a whirlwind week for you since the Open. Take us through it.

A: Well I had a bazillion media requests, which was cool, I enjoyed them all. And I got to do Jay Leno and that was wild; I had a blast. So I did some TV and radio stuff that Tuesday after the Open, then Leno Tuesday night. Some more stuff Wednesday, and I believe I went to Pennsylvania on Thursday… or I guess it was Friday. But a buddy of mine brought my kids up and we went back to Greensburg and hung out for three or four days, and they got to see some media stuff, so we had fun with that. Then I went up to Barrington, Rhode Island on Monday for a CVS tournament. It was the first time I was out in public with fans, and they were just amazing. Screaming and hollering, and I signed a million autographs. It was a lot of fun. And then I came here this morning and played in the Pro-Am, and it was the same thing. A bunch of people following… it's just unbelievable. I can't believe what I'm seeing.

Q: Have you been able to wrap your head around what was going on across the country, where literally millions of people you've never met were gathered in bars and offices, watching and rooting for you?

A: It's unbelievable. But I look at it, and I think about why it happened and you know what the answer is? They wanted a match. We know how good Tiger is. We know what he's done. He's going to break the record when he comes back, and it's going to be great. I'm one of his biggest fans. But all that stuff everybody knows. They wanted to see somebody challenge him. Even though I didn't beat him, they still loved the challenge. I know I loved the challenge, and I know Tiger loved the challenge.

I just think that's what everybody wanted to see, especially from a 45-year old. I mean, seriously-it was written by many people, and I can't believe how silly some of it was-that I was going to get killed. It was going to be a massacre; it was going to be a waste of time, blah, blah, blah. But I never thought that. Never for one second was I afraid I was going to lose. Even when I was behind I thought I could get back. You've got to think that way. And I think that's why it just went nuts - because someone stood up to him. And he did beat me. Don't forget that - I did lose the U.S. Open; I did not win. But I think that's what they wanted, and they got it.

Q: How important is playing in the Ryder Cup to you, and have you spoken with United States team captain Paul Azinger about it?

A: Paul and I have become very good friends, and I told him two years ago I wanted to be on his team. This year didn't start out very well for me, but the bottom line is I have to play good golf for the next couple months. There's no other way - I don't want to have him have to think about picking me, I want to be able to make the team. And I'm very close, and it's all on me, which is what you want. If I go out and play well for the next couple months I should make it.

It's definitely a monster goal, and I'm close. I got myself in there somehow over the last month, and I'd love to get on that team. Who knows, I'm 45, I may not have another chance. Maybe one more, but I'd love to do it. Especially in the United States.

Q: If you were giving someone advice on how to compete with Tiger, what would you tell them?

A: I always say that nobody can stop you from hitting a golf shot. Nobody. If Tiger and I were going to get in a fist fight, I'd get my butt kicked for sure. But in golf-especially at a major and especially at a U.S. Open-par is always going to do something, no matter who you're playing against. So if you can convince yourself that you can shoot one or two under, even, or one over on a U.S. Open playoff day - you can win the golf tournament. And he can't stop you from doing that. Nobody can. Only you can.

I look at it as an opportunity. You don't get many opportunities to beat him. And very rarely do you beat him. But you have to get an opportunity, and then relish every second of it. And I did. I relished every second on Monday; it was great.

Get To Know Rocco

Rocco Mediate was born on Dec. 17, 1962 in Greensburg, PA.

Currently makes his home in Naples, FL, with his wife Linda and their three children.

Was ranked No. 158 in the World Golf Rankings coming into the U.S. Open; now he finds himself ranked 47th.

Rocco was not even guaranteed a spot in the Open until he qualified in an 11-man playoff for only seven spots available.

Rocco transferred from California University of Pennsylvania to Florida Southern

He turned pro in 1985 and has won five PGA tournaments-three with Tiger Woods in the field-with his last coming in 2002 at the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.

Finished in the top 10 at both the 2001 and 2006 U.S. Open.

Only a day after his battle with Woods, he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Rocco finished 600th out of 5,619 in the 2005 World Series of Poker.