| 2011: Saw his string of 25 years with at least one top-25 finish come to an end. The streak dated to his rookie season in
1986. Made only seven of 23 cuts, with 31st-place finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions his best outing. 2010: Prior
to the Frys.com Open, was sitting at No. 182 on the PGA TOUR official money list, prepared to return to PGA TOUR Qualifying
Tournament. Instead, recorded hole-out eagles in each of the four rounds en route to first victory since 2002. Following the
win, said "I now have a job. I signed you up for TOUR school, and I was going to go. That's where I belonged about a half
an hour ago; I don't belong there anymore." Posed rounds of 64-65-67-73—269. Opened with a 191-yard hole-in-one at the third
hole in the first round, then followed in the second round with a 160-yard hole-out for an eagle-2 at the fourth hole. On
Saturday, holed a 111-yard wedge for an eagle-3 at the 15th hole. In the final round, made his fourth hole-out of the week
with an eagle-2 from 116 yards at No. 17. Knocked in 5-foot par putt on the 72 hole to edge Bo Van Pelt and Alex Prugh by
one stroke. At 47 years, 10 months, win made him the oldest wire-to-wire winner on the PGA TOUR since such records began being
recorded. Became the oldest winner since Kenny Perry at the 2009 Travelers Championship. 2009: Made 18 of 22 cuts on the PGA
TOUR, but finished 145th on the money list, with one top-10, a T9 at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open where he used a putter borrowed
from Matt Bettencourt. 2008: In a bid to become the oldest U.S. Open champion at age 45, lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods
at Torrey Pines GC. Finished regulation at 1-under-par 283 and held the clubhouse lead as Woods and Lee Westwood, both one
stroke back, played the par-5 18th hole. Woods made birdie to force an 18-hole playoff. In the Monday playoff, made three
consecutive back-nine birdies to take a one-stroke lead to the last hole. Woods made birdie to tie and force sudden death
as both players shot even-par 71s. Woods parred the par-4 seventh hole, the first sudden-death hole, as Mediate made bogey
after driving into a fairway bunker and missing a 20-foot par putt. 2007: Had best season since 2003, with a runner-up finish,
three top-10s and more than $1 million in earnings while playing on a Minor Medical Extension. Spent early part of season
as a walking commentator for Golf Channel. Led by three strokes through 36 holes of the Arnold Palmer Invitational after opening
66-65. Rebounded from third-round 76 with a 67 to finish solo second, his best finish since he was runner-up at the 2003 Deutsche
Bank Championship—a span of 74 events. 2006: Was limited to 18 events as he battled long-time back injury. In contention at
the Masters Tournament, as he sat T4 through 54 holes. Back problem flared up in final round, when he posted an 8-over-par
80 to finish T36. Not able to play for one month. 2005: Playing on one-time exemption as top-50 all-time money winner, rebounded
from subpar 2004 season to finish in the top 125. Rallied down the stretch, with 12 made cuts in final 14 starts. Recorded
lone top-10 of the season at the U.S. Open (T6). 2004: Finished outside the 125 on the TOUR money list for the fourth time
in his 19-year career and for the first time since he finished No. 155 in 1995. 2003: Finished 31st on money list and was
bounced from the field for season-ending TOUR Championship after missing cut in final full-field event, the Chrysler Championship.
Began season with two top-fives in first three events, highlighted by a T2 at Mercedes Championships and a solo second at
the inaugural Deutsche Bank Championship. 2002: Earned more than $2 million for the first time in his career and had best
finish on the money list (22nd) since finishing 16th in 1993. Picked up first victory since the 2000 Buick Open with win at
the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. Had two-stroke lead over Mark Calcavecchia through 54 holes. Final-round 71 gained
a three-stroke win over Calcavecchia and earned a career-high $684,000 paycheck. 2000: earned his fourth career victory the
way he won his first TOUR title—with a birdie on the final hole at the Buick Open. It was the first time he had led the Buick
Open all week. Birdied two of final three holes for one-stroke victory over 54-hole leader Chris Perry. Victory lifted him
over $1-million mark in a single season for first time in his career. 1999: Made clear comeback from 1994 back surgery with
victory at the Phoenix Open in only his second start of the season. Held season-best 54-hole lead of six strokes. Final-round
71 earned him two-stroke victory over Justin Leonard. 1997: Made eight consecutive cuts near end of the year to retain full
exempt status. 1996: Returned to the TOUR under Special Medical Extension and T6 at Phoenix Open to earn full playing privileges.
1994: Missed most of season with ruptured disc, for which he underwent surgery in July. 1993: Second TOUR win came in playoff
at Kmart Greater Greensboro Open, where he birdied fourth playoff hole to defeat Steve Elkington. 1991: Earned first TOUR
title in sixth season, at Doral-Ryder Open. Sank 10-foot birdie putts on 71st and 72nd holes, forcing playoff with Curtis
Strange. In Monday playoff, birdied first extra hole from 5 feet. Amateur: Gained interest in golf in high school after years
of playing baseball. With help from Champions Tour member Jim Ferree during college, began to construct his swing. At Florida
Southern, coach Charlie Matlock became large influence on his game.
|
