Tiger vs Rocco: Golf in the Morning

Tiger Woods is, without question, the most dominant athlete of the modern era.
Master of the most confounding of games, Woods' physical perfection and mental tenacity defy explanation.
Golf is a ruthless, unforgiving game. I've probably played nine total holes in my life, and while I can't claim to be a stellar or even above-average athlete, my ineptitude with a crooked-stick in my hands is unbelievably laughable. [During that sole unfinished round, my clubs flew twice as far as any ball I struck with them. Pitiful.]
And this morning, after rolling home a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole of the US Open, Tiger will play an 18-hole playoff round against Rocco Mediate, who looks about as athletic as the paper-pusher in the cubicle next to yours.
But that's golf.
Tiger was clearly in pain all week, gritting through what he called a "shooting pain" in his left knee, which underwent arthroscopic surgery more than two months ago.
"It's just pain," he said with a shrug after an unbelievable back nine on Friday -- the kind of statement you'd expect from the smartest and most mentally tough athlete on the planet.
But despite all Tiger's greatness, it's just impossible not to like Rocco Mediate. He reminds me of the favorite uncle who'd sneak you into that R-rated movie your parents would never let you see.
He plays with a peace-sign belt-buckle and a constant smile. And his game, like his personality, isn't the least bit intimidating. The 158th-ranked player in the world coming into the Open, Rocco's drives top out at 285, but his golf philosophy is sound:
"It doesn't matter how you get it in, you just gotta get it in," he said Sunday night.
And that, too, is golf.
Watching the press conferences following Tiger's playoff-forcing birdie, it's clear that Mediate is giddy to have a shot at the King. He's not hesitant or scared like many of his colleagues would be facing a head-to-head round with Woods. Hell, most of them can't even stomach being paired with the man, much less squaring up with him for a single round with a major on the line.
Now, Tiger ain't scurred, either -- that's for sure.
"I'd rather go now, but that's just me," he said with a smile and both hands squeezing the bill of his cap.
So these polar opposites will face off this morning: The man who stands for what golf truly is, and the one who is the face of what it wants to be.
There may be a day when the Tour is filled with Woods-like athletes, who run sub-five 40s and bench press 350 pounds, but Ima go out on a limb and say it won't be any time soon.
No, truth is, Mediate is more of a golfer than Tiger. I know, that sounds like saying someone's more conservative than Pat Robertson or sexier than Angie Harmon, but it's true.
If Tiger had picked basketball or baseball -- hell, he coulda picked hockey -- there's no doubt he'd be pro-caliber. Mediate might have made it as a curler, or maybe an Olympic archer or something, but other than that, the man was destined for golf.
His lighthearted temperment and utter humility suit him perfectly to make the most of a good walk spoiled.
Does any of that mean I'm picking him to upset Woods, gimpy knee and all, in the playoff round this morning?
I may be crazy, folks, but stupid I can't claim.
[Hopefully, I'll be back at the turn for an update. Read: potential retraction...]