Woods, Mediate playoff set at U.S. Open

LA JOLLA, Calif., June 15 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods rolled in a bumpy 14-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to tie Rocco Mediate Sunday and force an 18-hole playoff for the U.S. Open Championship.

"We got one more day," Woods said afterward. "I gave myself a chance."

The playoff will be Monday at the Torrey Pines course in Southern California.

Woods, who is trying for his 14th major title, and the 45-year-old Mediate finished at 1-under-par 283.

Mediate shot an even-par 71 and Woods, who double-bogeyed the opening hole to lose the lead he had taken into the final round, had a 2-over 73.

Woods, playing with a sore left knee, had sunk two long eagle putts and chipped in for a birdie in the third round, touching off thunderous applause each time.

He got a similar ovation on the 72nd hole.

Woods pumped his fists and thousands of fans around the green joined in the celebration after his dramatic putt bumped and hopped and finally dropped into the hole.

"I knew he would make that putt," Mediate said. "That's what he does."

Woods is seeking his third U.S. Open trophy. Mediate has never won a major.

Lee Westwood of England, who played the final round with Woods, shot a 73 to finish third at even-par 284.

Robert Karlsson (71) and D.J. Trahan (72) tied for fourth place at 286.