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U.S. Open: 5 best moments in history

By Nathaniel Reeves

SAN DIEGO - JUNE 16: Tiger Woods (R), champion, and Rocco Mediate (L), runner up, share a moment on the 18th green during the trophy presentation after the playoff round of the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 16, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO - JUNE 16: Tiger Woods (R), champion, and Rocco Mediate (L), runner up, share a moment on the 18th green during the trophy presentation after the playoff round of the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 16, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Tiger Woods of the US holds his trophy after defeating compatriot Rocco Mediate in the sudden death playoff at the 108th U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California on June 16, 2008. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods of the US holds his trophy after defeating compatriot Rocco Mediate in the sudden death playoff at the 108th U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California on June 16, 2008. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) /

1. Tiger Woods wins on one leg

Even for non-golf fans, the 2008 U.S. Open provided one of those sports moments everyone will always remember.

Despite limping around on an ailing left knee, Woods hovered around the top of the leaderboard all weekend long at 2008 at Torrey Pines. A pair of incredible eagles and a chip in birdie on the back nine of the third round gave Woods a narrow lead over Lee Westwood and Rocco Mediate heading into Sunday.

Woods struggled early in the round to lose his share of the lead, but was good enough on the back nine to remain in contention. Meanwhile, Mediate bogeyed just once over the final 13 holes, giving him a one-stroke lead as Woods and Westwood teed off on 18.

Westwood missed his birdie putt to force a playoff, while Woods’ 12-foot attempt lipped around the hole before dropping in to tie him with Mediate. On Monday, Woods had to once again tie Mediate on the 18th hole with a birdie putt to force the third sudden death playoff in U.S. Open history.

Woods finally broke the deadlock with a par on No. 7 to win his 14th major title. Two days later, Woods revealed he was playing through a double stress fracture in his left leg, and had surgery to repair his ACL. He has not won a Major since.

Besides being one of the most exciting final holes in U.S. Open history, the 2008 tournament had a thrilling playoff, and featured an impressive test of endurance from Woods.

For more U.S. Open coverage, check out our golf hub page.

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