US Open Winner 16/06

Winner
NSW Fixed Odds updated at 07:06:39 00:00 Fri 13 Jun 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
23156 WOODS Tiger 3.00 $
23099 MICKELSON Phil 9.00 $
23053 GARCIA Sergio 21.00 $
23064 HARRINGTON Padraig 23.00 $
23104 OGILVY Geoff 29.00 $
23126 SINGH Vijay 31.00 $
23052 FURYK Jim 34.00 $
23071 IMMELMAN Trevor 34.00 $
23123 SCOTT Adam 34.00 $
23030 CINK Stewart 41.00 $
23038 DONALD Luke 41.00 $
23043 ELS Ernie 41.00 $
23059 GOOSEN Retief 41.00 $
23121 ROSE Justin 41.00 $
23002 ALLENBY Robert 51.00 $
23008 BADDELEY Aaron 51.00 $
23003 AMES Stephen 61.00 $
23082 KIM Anthony 61.00 $
23088 LEONARD Justin 61.00 $
23148 WEEKLEY Boo 61.00 $
23149 WEIR Mike 61.00 $
23004 APPLEBY Stuart 67.00 $
23027 CHOI K.J. 67.00 $
23031 CLARK Tim 67.00 $
23120 ROMERO Andres 67.00 $
23021 CABRERA Angel 81.00 $
23070 IMADA Ryuji 81.00 $
23078 KARLSSON Robert 81.00 $
23107 PAMPLING Rod 81.00 $
23122 SABBATINI Rory 81.00 $
23130 STENSON Henrik 81.00 $
23134 STRICKER Steve 81.00 $
23025 CASEY Paul 101.00 $
23076 JOHNSON Zach 101.00 $
23128 SNEDEKER Brandt 101.00 $
23145 VILLEGAS Camilo 101.00 $
23150 WESTWOOD Lee 101.00 $
23058 GOGGIN Mathew 126.00 $
23068 HOLMES J.B. 126.00 $
23074 JIMENEZ Miguel Angel 126.00 $
23105 OHAIR Sean 126.00 $
23110 PEREZ Pat 126.00 $
23114 POULTER Ian 126.00 $
23140 TOMS David 126.00 $
23018 BRYANT Bart 151.00 $
23034 CRANE Ben 151.00 $
23045 FASTH Niclas 151.00 $
23069 HOWELL III Charles 151.00 $
23080 KAYMER Martin 151.00 $
23093 MAHAN Hunter 151.00 $
23117 QUINNEY Jeff 151.00 $
23127 SLOCUM Heath 151.00 $
23144 VERPLANK Scott 151.00 $
23024 CAMPBELL Chad 201.00 $
23039 DOUGHERTY Nick 201.00 $
23111 PETTERSSON Carl 201.00 $
23147 WATSON Bubba 201.00 $
23020 BYRD Jonathan 251.00 $
23041 EDFORS Johan 251.00 $
23049 FLESCH Steve 251.00 $
23063 HANSEN Soren 251.00 $
23081 KELLY Jerry 251.00 $
23085 KUCHAR Matt 251.00 $
23101 MONTGOMERIE Colin 251.00 $
23116 QUIGLEY Brett 251.00 $
23146 WATNEY Nick 251.00 $
23006 AUSTIN Woody 301.00 $
23015 BOHN Jason 301.00 $
23023 CAMPBELL Michael 301.00 $
23029 CHOPRA Daniel 301.00 $
23035 CURTIS Ben 301.00 $
23048 FISHER Ross 301.00 $
23072 JACOBSON Fredrik 301.00 $
23079 KATAYAMA Shingo 301.00 $
23091 LOVE III Davis 301.00 $
23094 MALLINGER John 301.00 $
23095 MARINO Steve 301.00 $
23119 ROLLINS John 301.00 $
23132 STERNE Richard 301.00 $
23141 TRAHAN D.J. 301.00 $
23151 WETTERICH Brett 301.00 $
23154 WILSON Dean 301.00 $
23153 WILSON Oliver 301.00 $
23022 CALCAVECCHIA Mark 401.00 $
23090 LEVET Thomas 401.00 $
23092 LYLE Jarrod 401.00 $
23096 MCGOWAN Ross 401.00 $
23098 MERRICK John 401.00 $
23109 PARRY Craig 401.00 $
23007 AXLEY Eric 501.00 $
23010 BEEM Rich 501.00 $
23037 DINWIDDIE Robert 501.00 $
23050 FORSYTH Alastair 501.00 $
23060 GORE Jason 501.00 $
23075 JOBE Brandt 501.00 $
23097 MEDIATE Rocco 501.00 $
23108 PARNEVIK Jesper 501.00 $
23136 TANIGUCHI Toru 501.00 $
23155 WITTENBERG Casey 501.00 $
23001 ALLEN Michael 751.00 $
23005 ARCHER Phillip 751.00 $
23042 ELLIS John 751.00 $
23054 GARRIGUS Robert 751.00 $
23073 JANZEN Lee 751.00 $
23077 JOHNSON Dustin 751.00 $
23089 LETZIG Michael 751.00 $
23100 MILLS Jonathan 751.00 $
23103 OGILVIE Joe 751.00 $
23009 BARLOW Craig 1001.00 $
23017 BRIGMAN D.J. 1001.00 $
23019 BRYANT Brad 1001.00 $
23047 FIGUEROA Fernando 1001.00 $
23051 FOWLER Rickie 1001.00 $
23061 HAAS Hunter 1001.00 $
23062 HAMILTON Todd 1001.00 $
23083 KIRK Chris 1001.00 $
23087 LEGGATT Ian 1001.00 $
23106 OMEARA Mark 1001.00 $
23113 POINTS D.A. 1001.00 $
23124 SHEEHAN Patrick 1001.00 $
23131 STERLING Scott 1001.00 $
23133 STREELMAN Kevin 1001.00 $
23135 STROUD Chris 1001.00 $
23139 TOMASULO Peter 1001.00 $
23142 TURCOTT Jonathan 1001.00 $
23012 BENSON Yohann 1501.00 $
23014 BERTONI Travis 1501.00 $
23026 CHAUSSARD Garrett 1501.00 $
23032 COLLINS Bobby 1501.00 $
23040 DRESSER Andrew 1501.00 $
23055 GASNIER Philippe 1501.00 $
23065 HEARN David 1501.00 $
23067 HICKS Justin 1501.00 $
23084 KORTAN Brian 1501.00 $
23086 LAMIELLE Joey 1501.00 $
23102 MURAKAMI Artemio 1501.00 $
23112 PIERCY Scott 1501.00 $
23118 RASHELL Rob 1501.00 $
23138 THOMPSON Michael 1501.00 $
23011 BELJAN Charlie 2001.00 $
23013 BERGSTOL Brian 2001.00 $
23016 BORS Jeffrey 2001.00 $
23028 CHOI Jay 2001.00 $
23033 COX Jordan 2001.00 $
23036 DEVLIN Chris 2001.00 $
23044 ENGLISH Sean 2001.00 $
23046 FATHAUER Derek 2001.00 $
23056 GAUS Bob 2001.00 $
23057 GILMORE Mike 2001.00 $
23066 HENDERSON Jimmy 2001.00 $
23115 QUAGLIANO Michael 2001.00 $
23125 SILVA Kevin 2001.00 $
23129 STANLEY Kyle 2001.00 $
23137 TAYLOR Nick 2001.00 $
23143 TWAY Kevin 2001.00 $
23152 WILSON Jeff 2001.00 $

theres actually quite a bit of good value there, cant believe they write everyone off except Tiger basically. I dont know whos playing well at the moment but quite a few good names around the 80 odd mark.

__________________
My Ani-mall Pet Food
76a Hogarth Road
Elizabeth South
(08) 8252 3830
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A lot of value if you going back against Tiger. I have a bet on the golf in 4 majors every year. My Biggest result was betting on Geoff Ogilvy a few years ago at 60-1. I always have a couple of bucks each on about 12-16 golfers depending on the price i will have more on. Here my bets for the US OPEN.

23099 MICKELSON Phil 9.00
23053 GARCIA Sergio 21.00
23104 OGILVY Geoff 29.00
23126 SINGH Vijay 31.00
23052 FURYK Jim 34.00
23123 SCOTT Adam 34.00
23043 ELS Ernie 41.00
23059 GOOSEN Retief 41.00
23121 ROSE Justin 41.00
23002 ALLENBY Robert 51.00
23008 BADDELEY Aaron 51.00
23004 APPLEBY Stuart 67.00
23070 IMADA Ryuji 81.00
23107 PAMPLING Rod 81.00
23128 SNEDEKER Brandt 101.00
23023 CAMPBELL Michael 301.00

June 13, 2008

AUSTRALIANS Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby are in contention after the first round of the US Open at Torrey Pines, each within two shots of surprise leaders Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman.

Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open champion at Winged Foot, endured a horror start to his round, making two bogeys in his opening three holes after teeing off at the 10th hole, but he then carded five birdies between the 12th and 1st holes before a bogey at the 5th hole to go into the clubhouse at two-under 69, one shot behind Hicks and Streelman.

“You're going to make more than two bogeys in 72 holes out here, I just happened to make two on the first hole.” – Tiger Woods The rueful world No.1 describes his horrors at the opening hole. Ogilvy was equal third after 18 holes with Rocco Mediate, Eric Axley and Appleby, who earlier carded four birdies against two birdies after starting at the 10th hole.

Allenby was a further shot back in tied seventh with a quartet of players including dual US Open champion Ernie Els.

Adam Scott meanwhile posted a respectable 73 in his first round since breaking a bone in his right hand last month, but it wasn't a good day for all the Australians, with Aaron Baddeley and Rod Pampling shooting 74, Craig Parry and Jarrod Lyle 75. Mathew Goggin's hot form also came to a screaming halt as he struggled to a 77.

"I had a decent run of birdies in the middle of the round," Ogilvy said after his round that saw him break par at a US Open for the first time."It's nice to have a decent first round in the afternoon because you know it's potentially going to be a little easier tomorrow when you play your early tee time."

Appleby, who has an appalling record in the tournament, made his best start in 12 Open appearances.

"It's a good start but there's a whole lot more work to do before there's even a chance of holding the trophy," Appleby said, adding that his lofty position on the eladerboard after 18 holes meant "sweet FA".

"I'd have to say I played a lot more solid golf than Stuart Appleby normally plays. I'd like to think I can have three more rounds under par."

Allenby, like Ogilvy, made an awful start, in his case slipping to three-over-par in four holes after teeing off at the 1st, but he rebounded with four successive birdies from the 8th hole before another birdie at the 13th was offset by a bogey at the 15th hole.

Tiger Woods, trying to add to his cache of 13 Major titles despite a near nine-week lay-off in the wake of knee surgery, was another player to make a rocky start, carding a double-bogey six at the 1st hole en route to a one-over 72 as he played with Phil Mickelson and Scott in the glamour threesome of the day.

“You're going to make more than two bogeys in 72 holes out here, I just happened to make two on the first hole,” a rueful Woods said of spotting the field two strokes at the first.

In deep rough off the tee, Woods could only punch out. His third shot bounced through the green into the back rough, from where he chipped up to five feet and two-putted.

The world No.1 bounced back with birdies at the 4th, 8th and 9th hole to reach the turn at one-under. After saving par at the 12th and 13th holes, he dropped two shots at the par-four 14th.

He had a chance to pull one back when he reached the green in two at the par-five 18th, but three-putted.

“I got it back to under par, had a chance to finish even par,” Woods said. “As of right now, I'm four back. Two double-bogeys, a three-putt - to only be four back is not bad. I can clean that up tomorrow. I'm in good shape.”

“So many of my best shots of the day were at five, six, where I burned the edge on all those putts ... all those three putts could have dropped. That would have been really exciting. But it's so early. I'm just trying to enjoy this.” – Kevin StreelmanThe US Open rookie laments missed opportunities.Mickelson meanwhile made three bogeys in a row on the front nine to reach the turn at three-over, but he nabbed four birdies against one bogey coming home to finish the day at even-par 71.

"I guess I could say it was rust, or I just made a couple of dumb mistakes," Mickelson said of his three bogeys from the 5th. "But the back nine I got it turned around and hit some good shots."

Mickelson, who capped his round with a birdie at the last, was pleased with even par.

“Anything around par is kind of your target for the US Open,” said Mickelson, who makes no secret of coveting a title that has so far eluded him. “That's the gauge because everything seems to gravitate around par.

Hicks, a Nationwide Tour player who missed the cut in his only previous Open appearance, in 2004, meanwhile teed off at the 10th hole and didn't record a single par in his first nine holes. After a bogey at the 1st hole, he birdied three in a row before back-to-back bogeys followed by three more birdies.

His second nine was less eventful, with one birdie and one bogey.

“Seven birdies? In one round? I would have thought I would have had to make pretty much everything I looked at,” said Hicks, who has played in the US Open once before, in 2004.

“I made some good putts out there, and I missed some putts as well.

“I just gave myself a lot of looks at it and just kept trying to make as many as I could.”
Streelman, a US PGA Tour rookie contesting his first US Open, made six birdies against two bogeys to stand alone atop the leaderboard before a bogey at his last hole, the 9th, saw him tumble into a share of the lead.

"I thought I hit a perfect hybrid down the fairway and it shot through and jumped into that other cut of rough - I just caught a flier to be honest," Streelman said of his second bogey of the day.

"I was pretty much in a lot of trouble over the back if that green."

Streelman said his round could have been even better.

"So many of my best shots of the day were at five, six, where I burned the edge on all those putts, then a great save at seven," he said.

"All those three putts could have dropped. That would have been really exciting. But it's so early. I'm just trying to enjoy this."

Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Justin Hicks USA F -3 68 68
T1 Kevin Streelman USA F -3 69 69
T3 Rocco Mediate USA F -2 69 69
T3 Stuart Appleby AUS F -2 69 69
T3 Eric Axley USA F -2 69 69
T3 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -2 69 69
T7 Rickie Fowler USA F -1 70 70
T7 Robert Karlsson SWE F -1 70 70
T7 Robert Allenby AUS F -1 70 70
T7 Ernie Els RSA F -1 70 70
T7 Lee Westwood ENG F -1 70 70



US Open Round Two Pairings And Tee TimesHole No.1
0000 (EST): Michael Allen (US), Jonathan Turcott (US), Scott Sterling (US)
0011: Kevin Streelman (US), Artemio Murakami (Phi), Robert Dinwiddie (GB)
0022: Bart Bryant (US), D.J. Trahan (US), Chad Campbell (US)
0033: a-Gary Wolstenholme (GB), Richard Sterne (RSA), Hunter Mahan (US)
0044: Ian Poulter (GB), Paul Casey (GB), Luke Donald (GB)
0055: Henrik Stenson (Swe), Toru Taniguchi (Jpn), John Rollins (US)
0106: Justin Rose (GB), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Ernie Els (RSA)
0117: Camilo Villegas (Col), Charles Howell (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger)
0128: Jeff Quinney (US), Justin Leonard (US), Mark O'Meara (US)
0139: Rory Sabbatini (RSA), David Toms (US), Colin Montgomerie (GB)
0150: John Mallinger (US), Alastair Forsyth (GB), John Merrick (US)
0201: Chris Stroud (US), Ross McGowan (GB), Ian Leggatt (Can)
0212: John Ellis (US), a-Jimmy Henderson (US), Andrew Dresser (US)
0330: Robert Garrigus (US), Peter Tomasulo (US), Craig Barlow (US)
0341: a-Derek Fathauer (US), Scott Piercy (US), Justin Hicks (US)
0352: K.J. Choi (Kor), Jim Furyk (US), Steve Stricker (US)
0403: a-Michael Thompson (US), Rocco Mediate (US), Brad Bryant (US)
0414: Craig Parry (Aus), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Tim Clark (RSA)
0425: Stuart Appleby (Aus), Jerry Kelly (US), Lee Westwood (GB)
0436: Woody Austin (US), Pat Perez (US), Thomas Levet (Fra)
0447: Matt Kuchar (US), Mathew Goggin (Aus), Nick Watney (US)
0458: Rod Pampling (Aus), Heath Slocum (US), Niclas Fasth (Swe)
0509: Carl Pettersson (Swe), Soren Hansen (Den), Daniel Chopra (Swe)
0520: Johan Edfors (Swe), Eric Axley (US), Ben Crane (US)
0531: Joey Lamielle (US), a-Michael Quagliano (US), Fernando Figueroa (Slv)
0542: Chris Devlin (GB), Yohann Benson (Can), Brian Bergstol (US)

Hole No.10
0000 (EST): D.J. Brigman (US), Jon Mills (Can), Jarrod Lyle (Aus)
0011: a-Nick Taylor (Can), Charlie Beljan (US), Rob Rashell (US)
0022: Stewart Cink (US), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Vijay Singh (Fij)
0033: Trevor Immelman (RSA), Zach Johnson (US), Mike Weir (Can)
0044: Retief Goosen (RSA), Scott Verplank (US), Aaron Baddeley (Aus)
0055: Stephen Ames (Can), Robert Allenby (Aus), Ben Curtis (US)
0106: Angel Cabrera (Arg), Padraig Harrington (Ire), Davis Love (US)
0117: Bubba Watson (US), J.B. Holmes (US), Andrew Svoboda (US)
0128: Brandt Snedeker (US), Nick Dougherty (GB), Jonathan Byrd (US)
0139: Michael Letzig (US), Ross Fisher (GB), Steve Marino (US)
0150: Brandt Jobe (US), Phillip Archer (GB), Jason Gore (US)
0201: Kevin Silva (US), Bobby Collins (US), Jay Choi (Kor)
0212: Bob Gaus (US), Philippe Gasnier (Bra), Garrett Chaussard (US)
0330: D.A. Points (US), Patrick Sheehan (US), David Hearn (Can)
0341: a-Kyle Stanley (US), Casey Wittenberg (US), Hunter Haas (US)
0352: a-Kevin Tway (US), Jason Bohn (US), Dean Wilson (US)
0403: a-Jeff Wilson (US), Fredrik Jacobson (Swe), Brett Quigley (US)
0414: a-Rickie Fowler (US), Chris Kirk (US), Dustin Johnson (US)
0425: Mark Calcavecchia (US), Oliver Wilson (GB), Joe Ogilvie (US)
0436: Adam Scott (Aus), Phil Mickelson (US), Tiger Woods (US)
0447: Lee Janzen (US), Steve Flesch (US), Rich Beem (US)
0458: Michael Campbell (NZ), Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Todd Hamilton (US)
0509: Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Boo Weekley (US), Shingo Katayama (Jpn)
0520: Anthony Kim (US), Andres Romero (Arg), Ryuji Imada (Jpn)
0531: Mike Gilmore (US), a-Jordan Cox (US), Brian Kortan (US)
0542: Jeffrey Bors (US), Sean English (US), Travis Bertoni (US)

(a- denotes amateur player)

June 14, 2008

STUART Appleby sank a monster birdie at the final hole to lead the great Tiger Woods by one stroke after the second round at the US Open.

On another outstanding day for the Australian contingent, Appleby ran in an unlikely 15-metre putt at the par-five 18th to card a one-under-par 70 at demanding Torrey Pines.

“Everything feels really good. I'd just like to keep playing like this,” he said after posting a three-under 139 halfway total, with Woods breathing down his neck after storming home with five back nine birdies for a sizzling 68.

American Rocco Mediate and Swede Robert Karlsson also trail by one stroke, while two other Australians, Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby, are three shots behind in a tie for ninth.

But it wasn't a good day for Adam Scott who, playing with Woods and Phil Mickelson, struggled at times, a near hole-in-one at his 17th hole, where he hit the pin, the highlight of a 73 that leaves him seven shots off the pace.

Appleby has won eight times on the US PGA Tour, more than any other current player without a major, but he seems to finally be getting the hang of how to play the four big ones and is Australia's best performer over the past five majors.

His birdie at the last came after his second shot stopped in a divot, from where he barely found the front of the green.

But not to worry, he perfectly read more than one metre of break into his long putt, and executed perfectly.

“I thought it's late in the day, these putts are getting a bit slower, just hit it', typical stuff when you're at 50 feet,” he said.

“I hit it and it doesn't look good, because it doesn't have that feeling off the putter, and then a couple of seconds out I thought 'This could go in'.”

Appleby, who as with Woods had knee surgery two months ago, can only hope that the world No. 1 cools off over the final two rounds.

Woods' putter caught fire on his inward half as he made putts from everywhere to send a definitive statement that he is very much back, even if his knee is still causing problems.

“I was just trying to get back to even par, to be honest, and I just happened to make a couple more putts,” said Woods. “I shot 30 on my back nine in a US Open; that's not too bad.”

Ogilvy, meanwhile, was poised to pounce after a 73: “It was not as good as yesterday (but) it was okay,” said the 2006 champion.

“I had a pretty decent score, because I played pretty scrappy. I was two-over after four (holes), so two-over for the day is pretty good.

“It should have been easier today (playing in the morning) but it didn't seem easy to me, maybe because I wasn't playing quite as well.”

Allenby, meanwhile, made a rare appearance on a major leaderboard, thanks to a one-over 72.

“I'm just happy with the way I'm playing,” said the Victorian, who has never finished better than seventh in 48 major starts.

“I just want to keep it going through the weekend. My main goal is just to give myself a chance come Sunday.

“I've been working quite hard on my swing and it's nice to get some results. Sometimes you work so hard and you don't get the results.”

Allenby, who on Thursday said the greens were the worst he had ever putted on, said they were considerably better on Friday morning.

Seven of the nine Australians made the cut, with Rod Pampling five shots behind, Aaron Baddeley eight back and Jarrod Lyle 10 adrift.

Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Stuart Appleby AUS F -3 69 70 139
T2 Rocco Mediate USA F -2 69 71 140
T2 Robert Karlsson SWE F -2 70 70 140
T2 Tiger Woods USA F -2 72 68 140
T5 Davis Love-III USA F -1 72 69 141
T5 D.J. Trahan USA F -1 72 69 141
T5 Lee Westwood ENG F -1 70 71 141
T9 Carl Pettersson SWE F E 71 71 142
T9 Luke Donald ENG F E 71 71 142
T9 Robert Allenby AUS F E 70 72 142
T9 Ernie Els RSA F E 70 72 142
T9 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F E 69 73 142

16 Rod Pampling AUS F +2 74 70 144

June 14, 2008

AUSTRALIAN golfer Adam Scott's caddie was involved in a physical altercation that ended with two spectators being arrested during the second round at the US Open.

Caddie Tony Navarro went outside the ropes on the final hole of the day to confront the two apparently unruly spectators.

According to a police spokesman, a physical scuffle ensued, after which two male spectators were arrested and charged with being "drunk in public".

They were escorted to a local jail to sober up.

The spokesman said further charges were possible after witnesses had been interviewed, and he did not rule out Navarro's being charged either, although he suggested it was unlikely.

The incident happened next to the ninth fairway, a few minutes after another Australian golfer, Stuart Appleby, was apparently distracted by the same spectators on the adjacent 18th tee at Torrey Pines.

"They were being a little loud and little rude," said Woods.

"Stuey is over there on 18 trying to tee off, and Tony (Navarro) is trying to make sure that he (Appleby) doesn't have these guys yelling on his swing."

According to Woods, the unruly spectators "didn't like it very much" being asked by Navarro to belt up, which apparently was the catalyst for the physical alternation minutes later.

Woods magic leaves rivals reeling
June 15, 2008

TIGER Woods produced three late miracles, even by his own extraordinary standards, to charge into the lead after the third round at the US Open.

On a day when Australians Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby remained on the edge of contention, but Stuart Appleby fell away, Woods moved within sight of his 14th major title with a memorial finish at Torrey Pines.

His left knee clearly causing considerable pain, he shrugged off the injury to hole a monster 20-metre eagle putt at the par-five 13th, and later pitched in for an unlikely birdie at the 17th, a shot that genuinely embarrassed him.

As if that wasn't enough, he stroked home a 10-metre eagle at the final hole to leave his shellshocked rivals in his wake, perhaps resigned to playing for second.

Even with a double bogey at the 1st hole, Woods carded 70 for a three-under 210 total, one stroke ahead of Englishman Lee Westwood (70).

American Rocco Mediate trails by two strokes, with Ogilvy and American DJ Trahan four shots behind, and Allenby among a group five back.

Appleby, who started the day with the lead, appeared to lose his confidence on the greens after an early double bogey, carding a depressing 79 to plunge eight strokes off the pace.

"Boring round of golf, right,'' quipped Woods. "Hopefully I can be a little more consistent tomorrow.''

He has never been beaten when leading into the final round of a major championship, but for most of the third round he was not in the lead, a double bogey at the 1st a terrible way to start.

But he turned things around at the par-five 13th where, after pushing his drive, he found a perfect lie in the trampled rough, and smashed a five-iron to the back fringe, before reading the putt perfectly, stroking it home dead centre.

If that was a pure stroke, his pitch-in from the rough at the 17th was a lucky birdie, when he was really trying just not to make bogey.

"A lot of luck was involved,'' he said.

"The shot on 17, that had no business going in the hole. I hit it too hard. It came out hot and one-hops in the cup. You've got to be kidding me.''

And he also had a piece of luck at the par-five 18th, where fellow competitor Robert Karlsson putted first on a similar line.

"It was nice I saw Robert's putt. I didn't know it broke that much at the end,'' said Woods, who went to school and proved a quick learner.

Ogilvy, who shot 72, has not given up hope of winning, although he spoke before Woods played the final two holes in three under.

"Obviously I'd love to be in the lead, but four shots could disappear in three holes,'' said the 2006 champion.

"The amount of shots isn't as important as the amount of people.''

There are only three players ahead of Ogilvy, but Woods, unfortunately for the Australian, is one of them.

"He's obviously the hardest golfer in the world to beat when he's up in contention. I'm definitely playing well enough (to win).''

Perhaps the only thing that can beat Woods is his dodgy knee. He winced with pain several times during the round, and said afterwards it was "more sore'' than any other day.

"As soon as I get out of here I'm going to put some ice on it,'' he said.

"It does affect what I'm trying to do. It acts up on certain shots. I can't say it's a driver and I can't say it's a wedge. Certain shots I just feel it more on.''

Westwood said he would focus on the job in hand and try to ignore his lofty position on the leaderboard.

"I have been in those positions before,'' Westwood said.

"I have been in contention in majors before. I am fairly level-headed person who sticks to his own game plan.''

The steady Westwood finished with two birdies and just one bogey. Until Woods eagled the final hole, the Englishman appeared to be headed for the overnight lead.

"I hit the ball more or less where I wanted to and putted very well,'' Westwood said.

"Like every US Open you have to hit your spots.''

Westwood is bidding to become the first European winner of the Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970, three years before Westwood was born.

"I know the last European to win was an Englishman, but it was before I was born,'' he said.

Five times in 39 prior starts Westwood has finished in the top 10 of a major. Two of those have come at the US Open - a seventh in 1998 and a tie for fifth in 2000.

"I am playing very well,'' Westwood said.

"I am seeing my shots at the right times and I feel in control of my golf swing and my putting is pleasing me.''

Westwood said playing with Woods in the final round won't affect him. He planned to get a good night's sleep and stick to his normal routine.

"It is not any concern who I am playing with in the last round,'' he said.

"Shooting 70 and being under par and sticking to my game plan all day is what is important.''

Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Tiger Woods USA F -3 72 68 70 210
2 Lee Westwood ENG F -2 70 71 70 211
3 Rocco Mediate USA F -1 69 71 72 212
T4 D.J. Trahan USA F +1 72 69 73 214
T4 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F +1 69 73 72 214
T6 Robert Karlsson SWE F +2 70 70 75 215
T6 Robert Allenby AUS F +2 70 72 73 215
T6 Hunter Mahan USA F +2 72 74 69 215
T6 Miguel Angel Jimenez ESP F +2 75 66 74 215
T6 Camilo Villegas COL F +2 73 71 71 215

T19 Aaron Baddeley AUS F +5 74 73 71 218
T19 Stuart Appleby AUS F +5 69 70 79 218
24 Rod Pampling AUS F +6 74 70 75 219

Final Round Pairings0000 (EST): Rich Beem (US), Andrew Dresser (US)
0010: Chris Kirk (US), John Mallinger (US)
0020: Ross McGowan (GB), Jesper Parnevik (Swe)
0030: Stephen Ames (Can), Nick Watney (US)
0040: Vijay Singh (Fij), Paul Casey (GB)
0050: a-Rickie Fowler (US), Derek Fathauer (US)
0100: Ben Crane (US), Ian Leggatt (Can)
0110: Soren Hansen (Den), Kevin Streelman (US)
0120: Bart Bryant (US), Justin Hicks (US)
0140: Jarrod Lyle (Aus), Alastair Forsyth (GB)
0150: Heath Slocum (US), John Rollins (US)
0210: Padraig Harrington (Ire), D.A. Points (US)
0220: Brett Quigley (US), Phil Mickelson (US)
0230: Matt Kuchar (US), Jonathan Mills (Can)
0240: Justin Leonard (US), Andrew Svoboda (US)
0250: Woody Austin (US), Andres Romero (ARG)
0300: Dustin Johnson (US), Adam Scott (Aus)
0310: Todd Hamilton (US), Rory Sabbatini (RSA)
0320: Michael Thompson (US), Joe Ogilvie (US)
0330: Trevor Immelman (RSA), David Toms (US)
0340: Chad Campbell (US), Steve Stricker (US)
0350: Luke Donald (GB), Carl Pettersson (Swe)
0400: Robert Dinwiddie (GB), Rod Pampling (Aus)
0410: Patrick Sheehan (US), Tim Clark (RSA)
0420: Eric Axley (US), Jeff Quinney (US)
0430: Boo Weekley (US), Anthony Kim (US)
0440: Ryuji Imada (Jpn), Stuart Appleby (Aus)
0450: Scott Verplank (US), MartinKaymer (Ger)
0500: Jim Furyk (US), Aaron Baddeley (Aus)
0510: Davis Love (US), Oliver Wilson (GB)
0520: Brandt Jobe (US), Brandt Snedeker (US)
0530: Ernie Els (RSA), John Merrick (US)
0540: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Mike Weir (Can)
0550: Robert Karlsson (Swe), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)
0600: Robert Allenby (Aus), Camilo Villegas (Col)
0610: Hunter Mahan (US), D.J. Trahan (US)
0620: Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Rocco Mediate (US)
0630: Lee Westwood (GB), Tiger Woods (US)

June 16, 2008

WORLD No.1 Woods and fellow American Rocco Mediate will compete for the 108th US Open in an 18-hole play-off at Torry Pines on Tuesday morning (EST).

The pair finished the 72 regulation holes at one-under-par 283 on a difficult afternoon of scoring on the South Course.

Twice champion Woods, seeking his 14th major title, rolled in a four-metre birdie putt on the final hole for a 73 after Mediate signed off with a 71.

It is the first time the US Open will be decided in a play-off since South African Retief Goosen beat American Mark Brooks at Southern Hills in 2001. Mediate, 45, will try to become the oldest player to win the US Open, and indeed any major title.

England's Lee Westwood came to the 18th with a chance to join the play-off with a birdie, but he missed his six-metre putt to finish with a 73 for even-par 284.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy finished tied for ninth at four-over-par, having been in contention earlier in the round before dropping away on the back nine top card a 74.

Mediate was watching from a scoring booth as Woods made his putt, which curled around the lip of the cup before dropping.

"Unbelievable, I knew he would make it,'' said Mediate, who is seeking his first major championship.

Woods started the day with a one-shot lead over Westwood, with Mediate a further shot back.

Woods owns a perfect 13-0 record in major championships in which he has held or shared the lead going into the final round, but the world No.1 couldn't get any momentum going as he posted his worst score of the week.

But he'll get a chance to take his total of major triumphs to 14 from 0200 (EST) on Tuesday as he continues his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18.

"Hopefully tomorrow I will get off to a better start,'' said Woods, who dropped three shots in his first two holes with a double-bogey at the first and bogey at the second.

"We will have fun,'' Woods said of the play-off. "Rock is a great guy.''

Woods, hobbled by pain in his surgically repaired left knee, had held the lead through 12 holes, before a bogey at the par-five 13th - a hole he eagled in the two previous rounds.

At the same time, Mediate birdied 14 to claim a one-shot lead, which he held until Woods's final flourish.

Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Rocco Mediate USA F -1 69 71 72 71 283
T1 Tiger Woods USA F -1 72 68 70 73 283
3 Lee Westwood ENG F E 70 71 70 73 284
T4 Robert Karlsson SWE F +2 70 70 75 71 286
T4 D.J. Trahan USA F +2 72 69 73 72 286
6 Miguel Angel Jimenez ESP F +3 75 66 74 72 287
T9 Camilo Villegas COL F +4 73 71 71 73 288
T9 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F +2 69 73 72 74 288

T13 Rod Pampling AUS F +5 74 70 75 70 289
T18 Robert Allenby AUS F +6 70 72 73 75 290
29 Aaron Baddeley AUS F +8 74 73 71 74 292

June 17, 2008

TIGER Woods held off a late fightback by fellow American Rocco Mediate and sporadic knee pain to win his 14th major title in a spectacular play-off for the 108th US Open.

Woods, who had forced the 18-hole play-off for the crown with a birdie at the 72nd hole, worked the magic again on the final day.

A see-saw battle saw Mediate up by one stroke on the 18th tee. But Woods was not to be denied a 14th major title.

With his birdie he matched Mediate's even-par 71 on the Torrey Pines South course, sending the play-off to sudden death for just the third time since the tournament adopted the format in 1954.

“Ninety holes was not enough,'' Woods said.

They returned to the par-four 7th, where Woods's par was enough for the victory.

“Today was just unreal,'' said Woods, who willed himself through the week despite obvious pain in his surgically repaired left knee. “It just kept ebbing and flowing, back and forth, back and forth.''

Woods appeared poised to turn the back nine into a victory parade when he took a three-stroke lead through 10. But he bogeyed the 11th and 12th to see his cushion sliced to one stroke.

Both players birdied the 13th, then Woods bogeyed the next - his par-putt lipping out - while Mediate birdied and they were even heading into the final four holes.

At the 15th, Mediate put his second shot from the fairway 25 feet from the pin. Woods, in a bunker, allowed himself to smile when he saw his sand shot left him inside his opponent.

But Mediate curled in his birdie putt, and Woods couldn't make his shorter one, and they headed to 16 with Mediate holding a one-shot lead.

Woods nearly erased the deficit at 16, where his 50-foot birdie attempt was headed straight for the centre of the cup but stopped one roll short.

After the duel, Woods paid tribute to the beaten foe he affectionately called “Rock.''

“It was an unbelievably gutsy performance,'' Woods said. “He put so much pressure on me today. It was a great battle all day.''

At 45 years and five months, Mediate was seeking to become the oldest US Open champion and the oldest first-time winner of any major.

“He's hard to beat,'' said Mediate, who has been hindered by back trouble through much of a 23-year career that includes five US PGA Tour victories.

“I threw everything I had, the kitchen sink, everything, right at him. I just about got him,'' added the veteran, who had been in the clubhouse with a one-shot lead when Woods rolled in his birdie at the last to force the play-off.

Woods, who moved one step closer to Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles, posted his third play-off victory in a major.

At the 2000 US PGA Championship he beat Bob May in a three-hole play-off, and he beat Chris DiMarco at the first hole of sudden-death at the 2005 Masters.

He also kept alive his perfect record in major championships in which he held or shared the lead after 54 holes.

“I don't even know how it got this far, but I'm very, very fortunate to have played 91 holes and come out on top,'' Woods said.