Tiger Woods rolled in an eagle putt from another zip code, one hopped a chip into the hole for a birdie, and eagled the 18th hole with two one legged shots.  Who said only hockey players are tough?

Oh yeah, me.  I withdraw that statement.  Mr. Woods put on a display of playing in pain that had me shaking my head in amazement after several sympathy grimaces.  It’s not possible to fully appreciate how vocabulary busting knee pain can be unless you’ve been through it yourself.  To play such stellar golf in that kind of pain is as superhuman as the rest of Mr. Woods game. 

He’ll be joined in the final pairing Sunday by Lee Westwood, a man many consider an afterthought.  Mr Westwood played as steady as Mr. Woods did spectacularly.  Both men shot one under par 70.  He has both the experience and nerves to play well tomorrow.  With Ryder Cup experience he should be minimally affected by the circus that is the final pairing with Mr. Woods.

“Is it getting worse? Yes, it is,” said Woods, playing for the first time since surgery April 15 to clean out cartilage in his left knee. “Certain shots, I’ll feel it. I can’t say it’s a drive, can’t say it’s a wedge. I’m not sure what shot it’s going to happen on.”  Tomorrow we’ll see if he can win a major with a limp combined with the lead.

Rocco Mediate had the lead for most of the day, reaching 4 under par at the 10th hole.  Then came the 13th where a three putt bogey began a stretch of 4 holes played in 4 over par.  He rallied at the end of the round to finish as the third player under par after three rounds at 1 under par.  What was more interesting to me, Mr. Mediate was behind Mr. Woods all day witnessing the craziness of wayward tee shots, followed by marvelous recovery, followed by magic around the green.  Two eagles and a chip in birdie.  In a US Open.  Stunning.  Electric.

Quietly Geoff Ogilvy finds himself four shots back at one over par after a 72 and in a tie with D.J. Trahan (73). Another shot back is a group including Hunter Mahan, Camilo Villegas, Robert Allenby, Miguel Angel Jimenez, and Robert Karlsson who played with Mr. Woods today.  Mr Karlsson went out in an unimpressive 41 strokes but came back with a 34 to salvage a 75 and leave himself close enough to have a prayer. 

I can’t pick anyone other than Mr. Woods, even a one legged version.  If the leg fails, I really like Mr. Ogilvy to win.  He’s done this before, and I like the way he played today despite the three strokes on the green at the 18th. 

On another note, Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there.  I only wish my father, the man who introduced me to the game of golf, were alive to see Mr. Woods play a game with which he and I are unfamiliar.  Amazing.  I’ll be watching Sunday night.