Golf-Woods playoff was cool, says Mediate as U.S. Open returns to Torrey Pines

FILE PHOTO: Rocco Mediate of the U.S. hits to a sand trap on the fourth hole in second round play on Torrey Pines South course during the Farmers Insurance Open PGA golf tournament in San Diego, California January 28, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Blake

(Reuters) - Rocco Mediate may not be at this week's U.S. Open but is ready to drive down memory lane as the major returns to Torrey Pines in San Diego for the first time since 2008 when he lost a thrilling playoff to Tiger Woods.

Mediate was on the cusp of securing the biggest win of his life but it slipped from his grasp as Woods, playing on what was essentially a broken leg, pulled off one of the most improbable victories of his career in a 19-hole Monday playoff.