Instead the two will return to the South Course at Torrey Pines today (Monday) for the event's traditional 18-hole play-off.

THE ROCCO MEDIATE Q&A

ROCCO MEDIATE: I bet you didn't think I'd be here today, did you? I believe you, I know you didn't think I'd be here. You didn't, really? That hurt. Go ahead, sorry.

RAND JERRIS: Well, Rocco, you are here today, tell us how you're doing right now.

ROCCO MEDIATE: I have nothing left right now. I'm toast. It was the most amazing day of golf I've ever experienced. Tomorrow is going to be pretty amazing, too, but today was absolutely remarkable.

I've never been there like that before. And I just found out what it's all about. It doesn't matter how you get it in, you've just got to get in and trust what you've worked on all your life. The putting. There's no technical anything going on, it's all make the ball go where you want it to go. It's amazing.

The thing that's most amazing is the man I'm going to play tomorrow has won 13 of these. It's amazing how much it takes. I gave all of what I had today and I can't complain. I knew he'd make that putt.

Q. You really enjoyed yourself. Did you enjoy yourself today?

ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, I had a blast. It was hard. I kept trying to do what I was doing. I hit a lot of good shots. Made a lot of putts today for me, when I needed them, big ones, to keep the momentum going. And missed a couple, but I made a few.

It was a blast. I've never had more fun and more insanity. It's just amazing. Some of the shots that came off I was very pleased to see what I did without having ever done anything like that before. I've won golf tournaments, but not like this one.

Q. Can you talk about what were your thoughts about the 18-hole playoff format before this. Do you like sudden death, do you like three or four holes at the British, what are your thoughts?

ROCCO MEDIATE: I think the 18-hole playoff for the National Open is the way to go. Maybe some day we'll go to a four hole, but that's just for TV, I don't know what the deal would be.

But I think it's a great way -- you play for your national title for four days, and if you go bogey the first hole, I don't know, I think it's more important than that.

Q. You would like to go back out right now, though?

ROCCO MEDIATE: I don't know if I could. (Laughter).

I'd probably find a way. But I think tomorrow it's like he came up and said, "We have a game tomorrow", I said, "Yeah, I'll see you in the morning. I'll see you in the morning, big man."

Q. At the beginning of last year you've got a headset on and you're doing TV and your playing career is somewhat in doubt. I guess put that in context and what this means to be 45 years old and having the greatest moment of your career.

ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, it is. I can't explain it. It was, after the announcing bit, I was pretty in bad shape. And I met a woman who's over here somewhere, Cindy is over here somewhere, who saved me. You've heard this I'm sure before. Made me able to play again and found the problems and all of a sudden I've had one setback since then. And it was a disk anyway, no one could have prevented that.

And that's what made me able to keep going. She denies that vehemently, like she didn't do anything. But I certainly wouldn't be sitting here if I wasn't fixed, for sure. And on this type of golf course you have to be.

This is a big one for me. This is a long one for me, so, yeah, a lot of things happened. Talking about was I ever going to play again or do this or have a chance to win one of these, get back to Augusta National, which I still have some things to settle, there, and I've done that, too, which is cool. Yeah, I get back in there. So, all that stuff, I can't really believe I'm sitting here, I really can't.

Q. What was your strategy on 18?

ROCCO MEDIATE: Well, I figured if I'd kill one I might be able to get there. I hit a pretty good one, but I over hit it. I over hit a couple of times coming in, but that's just how it is.

I had 247 to the front, which in the situation I was in I probably wouldn't have went if I was in the middle of the fairway. It might have, I'll never know. Just to put a wedge -- I had 106 yards. And I thought I hit it the right distance, but it's just so hard to make it go 106 yards -- I hit it -- maybe seven or eight yards too far.

But I saw it, and I wasn't thinking about, oh, my God, don't hit it in the lake or something like that. I was just trying to get another putt at it. That's the only strategy I had. I'd be going in there with a 3-wood or hybrid club, and who knows, who knows in that situation.

Q. We've seen Sunday at a Major, particularly against Woods, great players freeze up under the pressure. Obviously you're out there having a great time, continuing to laugh and smile. How hard was it to try that? Can you do that tomorrow and have as much fun as you --

ROCCO MEDIATE: Absolutely. Oh, my God, I get to play for the National Open against the best player on earth, that maybe has ever played. How much more could you ask for?

Yeah, I would have loved to have a birdie, but I didn't, so I get to play him tomorrow. You just don't know what can happen. I don't know, what did he shoot today? 73. So it's going to take around par tomorrow. I'm sure they'll do some fun things. I don't know what they'll do tomorrow. But I couldn't be happier with what happened today.

Q. Why can you do it and others can't?

ROCCO MEDIATE: I don't know, I'm nuts. Come on, seriously. I've always been that way. It's nervous energy, anyway. I can't be quiet, that's for sure. But I obviously won't bother anybody, I don't do that, either. I'll talk to people outside before I -- but Tiger will talk a bit, I'm sure. He has no choice. (Laughter).

It will be sure a lot of fun.

Q. As much respect as you have for him and his record in match play, how do you keep that from getting in your head and play your game?

ROCCO MEDIATE: It's stroke play, though. There's a bit of difference. I have nothing to lose, I really don't have anything to lose. I can't believe I'm in the situation, I can't wait to go see what I've got against the man. I can't wait to see what I've got against him. I know what he has.

But it's heads up and we'll see how it goes. It will be exciting. But I'm sure there's going to be a lot of heat on me, too, because I know that I'm playing the best player in the world. And I'm 158th player in the world. But that will change this week, too (Laughter.)

It won't get to 2nd, but it won't be 158th. So tomorrow will be a -- I'll be nervous as a cat like I always am when I play. And once I get to the first tee I'll try to hit the fairway and go on.

Q. Amid all the fun you're having and all the praise you have for Tiger, discuss a little bit the competitiveness that you obviously, the sense of that, that you have to have to be in this situation?

ROCCO MEDIATE: To go up against the best player in the world and have a chance to beat him, there's nothing else you can ask for, period.

Of course I want to win. Of course I do. I wanted to win today and I thought I had a pretty good shot at it. And I made him do something today and he did it, which is amazing. He does it all the time.

But he hadn't had to do that -- I don't know if he's done it in a Major before. But to hit it out where he hit it, out of the rough, and makes the putt.

But I made him do that. If I make a mistake, that's to win, and he'll make it anyway. The competitiveness, of course I'm going to try to win. He wants to kill me. I want to kill him. That's just how it is. But it's going to be a very entertaining day, I can assure you of that.

Q. You mentioned nervous energy, but some people say that patience is one of the virtues to win on the U.S. Open course. So how do you square that off?

ROCCO MEDIATE: You know, I have no idea because I am so impatient, it's unbelievable. I really can't answer the question. But I know -- I don't know, you just know where to miss here. There are some places where you can play from. On 15 I didn't miss in the right spot. On most of the places I did. And I was able to get up-and-down or whatever.

I don't know what you want to call it, but patience, it's all about that, you know. You just don't know. I'm thinking yesterday, that I probably have to shoot 2, 3-under par to have a chance. I shot even par and just about won. So that's what these courses do. I knew at the beginning of the week somewhere around par is going to win, and it is. We're both 1-under par.

Q. You said earlier this course is very long for you and you also said I made him do something today. So what's the game plan for tomorrow? Are you going to be aggressive and try to make Tiger do something or are you just going to try to shoot around and hope you end up one less?

ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, it's all about fairways and greens in this joint. And that's what he's going to try to do and that's what I'm going to try to do. And that's who's going to win the battle tomorrow, you can believe that. That's what we have to do. I don't really know if you could call it match play, because it isn't. It's a stroke play deal, and it's going to be -- I can't believe I'm -- it's going to be a blast.

Q. You said yesterday you were a little disappointed that you weren't matched up with Tiger on the final day.

ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, I really tried -- I really wanted to get in that final -- why wouldn't I want to play with him? If we get in a fight, yeah, I have a problem (laughter). He's for sure going to kick my butt.

But we're just going to play golf. It shouldn't stop me from being able to play. I'm sure Tiger will tell you the same thing. I posted a number and it didn't stop him from posting the same number, you just have to do that. That's what I meant when I said I made him do that. He had to birdie 18 to get through tomorrow.

Q. I think you said on TV, and people have watched him and sensed he makes the big putt, he makes the big shot. Did you stand there saying, I knew he was going to do it?

ROCCO MEDIATE: Absolutely, I knew he was going to hit it. When Lee just left his short, I said to Rolf, I said, I bet you this putt has speed. That's what he does. He doesn't care about the outcome. He doesn't care about the next one.

Q. What should be the odds here?

ROCCO MEDIATE: I don't know, you guys can set those. I think it will be, what -- I don't know, a little bit behind the odds that I will win. I don't know, it's just going to be -- I don't know how you make odds on that. But like I said, it's -- who knew I would be here playing against him tomorrow. And you better watch yourself tomorrow, pal (laughter). See, he's a little nervous right now (laughter). He's nervous. It's going to be a blast, guys. I'm happy to be here. And we'll give you a show, I'm sure.

RAND JERRIS: Thank you very much for your time. Good luck tomorrow.

THE TIGER WOODS Q&A

RAND JERRIS: We're now joined by Tiger Woods, with a round of 2- over par, 73 today, 1-under par for the championship. Tiger, walk us through the final shots on the 18th hole.

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I tried to play a cut off the tee and I kind of hit a pull cut, but ended up in the bunker. I had just an absolute pure lie, if I was in a practice round I would have gone for it. I stuck a 9-iron in the sand and hit it straight right. I was trying to play off the right side, but not that far right.

And then I had a 95 front, 101 hole. It was just a perfect number for my 56, but didn't think that I could stop a 56 in there, so I tried -- if I hit a 56 I had to hit it short of the green, bounce it in, and that wasn't going to be the shot. We decided to go with 60, hit it hard, make sure you play to the right, just in case it doesn't get there. If it does, it should land on the front and skip past and I should have a putt at it. And it turned out perfect. The putt was -- probably about two and a half balls outside right. And the green wasn't very smooth. I kept telling myself make a pure stroke, if it bounces in or out, so be it, at least I can hold my head up high and hit a pure stroke. I hit it exactly where I wanted it to and it went in.

Q. What's it like playing in a 18-hole playoff in the U.S. Open.

TIGER WOODS: I'm looking forward to it. I've never been in this position before in a U.S. Open. After I got the start off today, it looked like I could play myself right out of the tournament. But I still have a chance going into tomorrow. I kept telling myself after I started, if I shoot even par for the day, I win the tournament. And that would have been the number. But also very fortunate to get to the playoff, as well. Roc could have easily birdied 18 and put it out of reach for both Lee and I.

Q. Thanks for another thrill, Tiger. If you can, can you please define what excellence means to you?

TIGER WOODS: I don't know. I guess succeeding.

Q. You said you were going to Mexico tomorrow for what? What are you going to be doing?

TIGER WOODS: Golf course design project.

Q. Are you going to be going there on Tuesday?

TIGER WOODS: Looks like I'm busy tomorrow (laughter). I think they'll understand.

Q. Obviously those first few holes, there was a lot of grimacing, a lot of pain. You were swinging smoother. Did you think -- firstly, did it not bother as much after those first few swings? And then secondly, can you talk us through 13 and 14, which were pretty pivotal holes?

TIGER WOODS: Did it get better, no. I took some things to relieve that, so I feel a bit better now.

As far as 13, 14. 13, I was trying to hit a high cut in there and ride the wind to get it there to the front edge. It was 275. I just hit double cross, like the first one, just a quick snipe.

Fourteen, I couldn't have had a worse number. It was a 5-wood front number for me, but it was into the wind. I can't get a 5-wood there. Now I have to lean on a 5-wood, which means it brings the left bunker into play. I don't know if I can even get it all the way to that left bunker. If I bale right, I have absolutely no pitch. If I hit a cut 3-wood I have a choke down 3-wood and hit a cut. That's not exactly an easy shot. If I overcut I'm in the right bunker with virtually no shot. If that tee would have been on the back part of that tee, I could have hit a 3-wood with no problem. But it was on the front part, and it was perfectly caught between clubs. I said all right, no big deal. I can still make three by laying up. I laid up to a good number, had a little wedge and hit a little hard and ended up making par.

Q. You obviously had your reactions on the 72nd hole. How is this different, the emotion different when you get into a playoff tomorrow?

TIGER WOODS: I think it was very similar to what Valhalla felt like. If I don't make that putt I don't get to continue playing. At least I gave myself a chance to win the tournament tomorrow. And that's all I can ask for.

Q. After you go left of left and right of right at 2 you're coming down off the tee at 2, you look like you're really in bad pain. Are you worried you may not be able to finish, you may not be able to compete, how bad was it at that point?

TIGER WOODS: Oh, I was going to finish. It might have been on the clock, but -- (laughter) --

Q. How much did your knowledge of this course help you on that last hole? You must have had that putt before at some time playing?

TIGER WOODS: We actually had that hole location this year for first time. But I remember I hit it -- I think I hit a 2-iron right at the flag and hit it just short of the green and it actually held up because it was rough there. And all the guys were giving me a bunch of crap saying, thanks for ruining the U.S. Open for us, because they shaved the bank. But that's the only time I ever hit to that pin. I was short of the hole and had an easy chip and made birdie.

Q. You've been pretty forthcoming about the knee thing. So let me throw this one at you: Is what you're experiencing right now residual soreness from the surgery or is this the way it is forever and ever?

TIGER WOODS: It's different.

Q. I don't understand. You don't know?

TIGER WOODS: I know. (Laughter).

Q. Standing on 18th tee are you thinking you need eagle?

TIGER WOODS: Eagle to win. But realistically just trying to make four, give myself a chance. Just put the ball in the fairway. I didn't do that. I laid up in the fairway to at least have a good number, I didn't do that. At least give myself a putt at it, which I did do and I happened to hole it.

Q. Obviously three times you've started with double bogeys, and the other time you opened with a bogey. Can any of this be attributed to the knee?

TIGER WOODS: No.

Q. Just bad swings?

TIGER WOODS: Just terrible swings. The bogey I made on 10 the other day was just a three-putt on Friday. The other days were just terrible golf shots. I hit two snipes off that first tee. The other one I hit to the right which I made just -- I made 3, half of what I made today. Oh, well, it is what it is.

Q. And you were dead behind that tree and you hit -- two trees, if I saw correctly, on one?

TIGER WOODS: The second shot wasn't that hard. It was not that hard. I had a funky lie. I didn't know how it was going to come out, and it squirted left. I didn't envision that happening. I didn't think that lie would turn my club that much. I had the face open just to make sure if it did turn it would turn into the left bunker, no big deal, easy pitch. And it turned straight in the tee.

The next shot was - I came down too steep and popped it straight up into the tree. Then I had to whack it out of that rough. I finally hit a good pitch. And made just a great two footer (laughter).

Q. Because of Rocco's personality, happy-go-lucky guy, is that going to make it a different playoff atmosphere for you. How much talking do you think you guys will have?

TIGER WOODS: I'm sure I will talk a little bit. Roc is -- he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He's been a friend of mine ever since I've been out here on Tour. We'll talk. But we'll also understand we're try to win a U.S. Open. And we'll have our moments where we'll go our separate ways and be focused for each and every shot.

Q. Kind of a two part thing. First of all, I'm not sure if you've ever been in the situation where, like Rocco, waiting around to see if you're going to win a tournament, a Major obviously you haven't been in that situation.

Can you talk about what you think that is like for him? And then expanding on Rocco, I know you guys are buddies, he doesn't have that many chances left, he's at 45 and he's talked about that a little bit. Do you feel for him a little bit, since he had it in his grasp. I know you want this.

TIGER WOODS: No. (Laughter) Have I been in a situation on the last hole? I'm sure I have. I can't remember when, but I'm sure I have. I've been in enough situations where that probably has happened. But never in a Major championship.

Rocco is a - he's played well in US Opens before, and he hits that nice little draw out there and it's good to see him healthy again. I know this is one of the very few times that - last year he wasn't in the situation where he could play. Now he's healthy enough to play pain free, and he's got all the talent in the world. Now he's shown us.

Q. You're now a father these days playing on Father's Day. Given the knee, years from now when your daughter is old enough to understand, regardless of tomorrow, what do you want her to know about what you did this week considering the knee?

TIGER WOODS: I got a W (laughter).

Q. All the majors are a huge challenge, of course, are you having to work harder and overcome more to get in this position to win this than all the others?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, yeah.

RAND JERRIS: Tiger, congratulations. Good luck tomorrow.