"Every major should be an 18-hole playoff"- Years after losing to Tiger Woods, U.S. Open legend calls for change to major tournaments
16 years after losing to Tiger Woods in a dramatic 18-hole playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open, Rocco Mediate has suggested a change in the playoff format for majors. While reflecting on his loss to Woods, the legend suggested that playoff rules should be different for a major and a 'normal event.'
At the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Mediate was asked about his phenomenal performance at the 2008 U.S. Open. Replying to the reporter, the Florida native said all majors should have an 18-hole playoff to determine the winner. He said (via Golfweek):
"That was the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf. For sure. Bar none. I wish I could do it again. The 18-hole playoffs are over. Which is ridiculous. Every major should be an 18-hole playoff. And if you tie, it should be 18 more. It’s a major. It’s not a normal event.”
The reporter further asked if he was serious about it, to which Mediate said:
“100 percent serious. 100 percent serious. ‘Oh but TV.’ I don’t care about TV. I want the trophy. Sudden death at Augusta National? What? The Masters, we’re just going to have one hole? TV? Not concerned.”
The 2008 U.S. Open is one of the most memorable events in golf history. After four rounds, Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods were tied for the lead, heading into an 18-hole playoff to determine the winner. Ultimately, it was Tiger Woods who clinched the title.
A quick recap of Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate's performance at the 2008 U.S. Open
The 2008 U.S. Open featured exceptional gameplay. Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate finished tied at 1-under after four rounds, leading to an 18-hole playoff — the first of its kind at the U.S. Open since 2001.
The playoff began with Woods making par on the first hole and Mediate making a bogey. But on the third, Mediate shot a birdie while Woods made a bogey. After nine holes, Woods had a two-stroke lead. He shot two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, whereas Mediate had three bogeys and one birdie.
However, Mediate was phenomenal on the back nine, shooting three consecutive birdies from the 13th to the 15th holes, bringing him to even par, while Woods was at 1-over. The Cypress-born star then birdied the 18th hole, bringing the playoff to an even score. Both finished in a tie after an 18-hole playoff and this led to a sudden-death playoff on the seventh hole of Torrey Pines. While Woods made his putt, Mediate made a bogey, leading Woods to his 14th major title.
Rocco Mediate, 61, currently competes on the PGA Tour Champions. He has won 14 professional tournaments, including six on the PGA Tour, though he has not yet won a major. In fact, his performance at the 2008 U.S. Open marked his best finish in a major.