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Another great story from Inside the Ropes at the US Open. I watched the dual between Tiger and Rocco from the 1st hole through the final 19th (how appropriate). The crowds were huge of course so being inside the ropes was "priceless" and allowed me to even take some pictures and shoot video with my camera (another perk with Media credentials). With Tiger struggling in pain and obviously not on his "A" game, Rocco gave him a great match and really made Tiger earn it. Rocco's shot to 2 feet on hole #3 was amazing and put great pressure on Tiger who hit his shot a little heavy and ended up with a horrible plugged bunker lie. There was no room behind the flag for error...just a cliff dropoff to the beach, and Tiger blasted out just off the green and 2 putted for bogey! There were times when Tiger was in trouble that Rocco could have capitalized and taken a great advantage, buy then he also hit a poor shot. Most specifically hole #10 where from a perfect lie in the middle of the fairway and Tiger already way short of the green with an impossible thick lie, Rocco missed the green short and Tiger made another amazing 20' putt to save par. The gallery was chanting "ROCCO" at every turn and really pulling for him. When Rocco made his long putt on Hole #15 to tie the match, the electricity was unexplainable. Rocco really impressed me with his play! He stayed true to his game and seemed to really be enjoying the moment. He is a very fast player which can test your patience when paired with someone more methodical like Tiger. After watching Tiger closely all week, I was most impressed with his ability to focus. With all the crowd craziness, endless cameramen, and media distractions, I witnessed his plotting down the fairways between shots like Big Brown wearing blinders of steady confidence. Tiger rarely looks out to the crowd or casually chats with fellow competitors. It's NOT a social event for him until it's over. In fact, rarely do any PGA players say "nice shot" or any comment to another player. It's definitely all business! Tiger gathers himself mentally just prior to every shot starting with a behind the ball visualization of his shot, then he slowly takes two deep breathes prior to addressing his ball. This "ZEN" golf hypnotic psychosis is nothing new to most tour players but watching Tiger do it each day while slowly earning his way into contention was extraordinary. Before Tiger's final shot into hole #7 of the playoff, I watched Tiger's caddie Steve Williams count off 4 big steps from the nearest yardage plate. I looked at my own yardage book and determined that plate was the 169, so with the pin at minus -9 from center that meant Tiger had 156 to the hole and just 148 front edge. With Rocco's ball in the grandstand left, Tiger had a clear advantage and a great angle to the pin so he played the proper low shot to the front leaving an uphill birdie putt from about 20 feet. Rocco's drop into the relief area was really thick and with a front pin tucked just over the trap from about 30 yards it looked nearly impossible to hit close. I must give Rocco alot of KARMA KREDIT for toughing it out and never giving up, with his 15' putt to save par just missing over the top edge. After both players hugged and headed back to Hole #18 in carts for the trophy presentation, I walked past the area Tiger had hit from at 156 yards. Being the only players on the course that day, and with Rocco in the faiway bunker it was obviously the only fresh divot in the fairway so I picked it up for my own personal US Open treasure. I put it in a plastic cup and found a drinking faucet to keep it wet and carried my little Tiger divot proudly home just like the commercial. I would not have even thought to collect the divot if not for that funny commercial. Being a bonafide Golf Nut and Tiger FAN, I just had to seize the opportunity! With no way to really prove this is Tiger's actual divot (and final shot of 2008), I am not sure EBAY would be the proper resting place for my little guy so I'm taking a poll from you the readers. EBAY or PLANT IT? My local NBC news channel came and interviewed me for a story on this today but I'm hoping me and my little grassy treasure will end up on Leno of course! Please send your comments to me at :
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