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Rocco Mediate
Personal Information
Birth
December 17, 1962 (1962-12-17) (age 45)Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight
190 lb (86 kg)
Nationality
United States
College
Florida Southern College
Career
Turned Pro
1986
Current tour
PGA Tour
Professional wins
9 (PGA Tour: 5, Other: 4)
Best Results in Major Championships
Masters
T15: 2001
U.S. Open
4th: 2001
British Open
T18: 1996
PGA Championship
6th: 2002
Rocco Anthony Mediate (born December 17, 1962) is an American professional golfer.
Mediate was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Florida Southern College and turned professional in 1985.
Mediate's career has been dogged by back trouble and he started using a long putter early on because of this. In 1991 he became the first player to win on the PGA Tour using a long putter when he won the Doral-Ryder Open. He picked up another victory at the 1993 KMart Greater Greensboro Open, but he then had a long lay off due to a ruptured disk, but returned to the Tour in 1996 playing under a special medical extension and performed steadily. He picked up wins on the Tour in 1999, 2000 and 2002. He worked hard to improve his fitness to minimise his back problems, and in 2003 returned to using a conventional putter. He has featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings. At the 2006 Masters, Mediate was in contention to win the event on the final day until he took a septuple-bogey ten on the par three 12th hole.
On October 9, 2006, it was announced that Rocco would become an on-course reporter for The Golf Channel's 2007 PGA Tour coverage. He played in the 2005 World Series of Poker's Main Event, as well as the 2001 Blem Classic of Las Vegas. He is also a distant cousin of D.C. United footballer Domenic Mediate.[1]
2008年6月14日 星期六
Ellis misses cut, finishes 9-over
By Dispatch Sports Staff
John Ellis wrapped up his second day at the U.S. Open at San Diego's Torrey Pines Golf Course Friday, recording a 3-over 74. He is nine over for the tournament. (File Photo)
Photo by: Lora Schraft, Staff Photographer
San Diego
John Ellis wrapped up his second day at the U.S. Open at San Diego's Torrey Pines Golf Course Friday, recording a 3-over 74 but missing the cut by two strokes.
Leader Stuart Appleby finished at 3-under Friday, setting the cut at 7-over.
Ellis, who graduated from Live Oak in Morgan Hill, shot a 6-over 77 on Thursday, bringing his two-day total to a 9-over 151.
On Friday, Ellis started strong, carding his first birdie of the tournament on the par-4 second hole at Torrey Pines, but bogeyed on the following two holes.
Ellis had five bogeys in total on Friday, but birdied the par-5 18th hole to finish with a 74.
Ellis, who also attended Gavilan College and the University of Oregon, had two bogeys and two double-bogeys on day one of the U.S. Open, but otherwise shot par on the remaining holes to finish with a 77.
Tiger Woods finished with a 3-under 68 on Friday, bringing his two-day score to 2-under 140. Woods is tied with two others for second place, including Rocco Mediate and Robert Karlsson.
John Ellis wrapped up his second day at the U.S. Open at San Diego's Torrey Pines Golf Course Friday, recording a 3-over 74. He is nine over for the tournament. (File Photo)
Photo by: Lora Schraft, Staff Photographer
San Diego
John Ellis wrapped up his second day at the U.S. Open at San Diego's Torrey Pines Golf Course Friday, recording a 3-over 74 but missing the cut by two strokes.
Leader Stuart Appleby finished at 3-under Friday, setting the cut at 7-over.
Ellis, who graduated from Live Oak in Morgan Hill, shot a 6-over 77 on Thursday, bringing his two-day total to a 9-over 151.
On Friday, Ellis started strong, carding his first birdie of the tournament on the par-4 second hole at Torrey Pines, but bogeyed on the following two holes.
Ellis had five bogeys in total on Friday, but birdied the par-5 18th hole to finish with a 74.
Ellis, who also attended Gavilan College and the University of Oregon, had two bogeys and two double-bogeys on day one of the U.S. Open, but otherwise shot par on the remaining holes to finish with a 77.
Tiger Woods finished with a 3-under 68 on Friday, bringing his two-day score to 2-under 140. Woods is tied with two others for second place, including Rocco Mediate and Robert Karlsson.
108th U.S. Open Second Round News and Notes
La Jolla, CA (My Sportsbook) - "Bet you didn't think I'd be back here, did you?"
The question was asked Friday by Rocco Mediate, who had just finished off a 71 in the second round of the U.S. Open.
The 45-year-old Mediate, among the most popular and ebullient players on the PGA Tour, held the lead longer than any other player Friday at tough Torrey Pines.
But three back-nine bogeys left him one shot off the eventual second-round lead held by Stuart Appleby -- and tied for second place with, among others, Tiger Woods.
It's a situation that might have seemed impossible until Mediate survived an 11-man playoff at a qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, last week to earn himself a 13th start in his favorite tournament.
As much a fan of golf as he is one of its singular personalities, Mediate was clearly relishing the share of the spotlight he held Friday while playing what could be, by his own estimation, one of his last U.S. Opens.
Limited to 18 events in 2006 while battling a lingering back injury, Mediate played last season on a minor medical exemption. He has made 17 starts already this season, missing the cut eight times and withdrawing once.
His best finish came at the Memorial -- one day before his U.S. Open qualifier -- where he tied for sixth place.
And now this, heading to the weekend with a chance to win his first major championship. It's something Mediate, a five-time PGA Tour winner, knows will be hard to come by, even in his current position.
"There's only four of them a year...But you never know. You never know," he said. "I like what I saw the first two days, and I'm doing pretty good so far. So I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel on the first tee tomorrow. It will be exciting."
Despite Torrey Pines' daunting 7,600-yard layout, its deep rough and quickening greens, Mediate felt comfortable playing the picturesque Southern California course. It fits his eye, he said.
"It's such a good examination of everything you got," said Mediate. "Especially in your head. It's mostly a head game here."
At his age, and with his history of back problems, Mediate was happy to be in a good enough position to get a late third-round tee time. He will tee off with Appleby at 3 p.m. (pt).
"It's great," said Mediate. "I don't have many mornings left."
BYE-BYE POULTER
Englishman Ian Poulter withdrew on Friday after 15 holes with an unspecified injury.
"He just said he was off so he left us," said Luke Donald, who, along with Paul Casey played with Poulter through the first two rounds. "He just said good-bye and good luck."
Poulter was five-over par on his round and 12-over for the championship.
OPEN NOTES
- For the second day in a row, the par-four 12th played as the most difficult hole. On Friday, the 504-yard hole played to an average of 4.6323 shots. It has been the toughest hole for the week with an average of 4.6161.
- The par-five 18th played as the easiest hole again. In round two, the closing hole played to an average of 4.7727 shots. For the championship, it has been the easiest hole with a 4.7896 average.
- Angel Cabrera will not become the first player to successfully defend the U.S. Open title since Curtis Strange in 1988-89. Cabrera missed the cut at plus-13.
- There is still hope for a single-season Grand Slam. Masters champion Trevor Immelman shot a two-over 73 on Sunday and finished 36 holes at plus-six, nine shots off the lead.
- Leader Stuart Appleby's long birdie putt at his last hole got him to three- under par for the championship. Due to the rule that allows anyone within 10 shots of the lead to make the cut, that Appleby birdie knocked off 11 players eight-over par.
- Adam Scott carelessly double-bogeyed the 18th hole on Friday. He walked up to tap in a bogey putt, but the ball lipped out. Scott holed a four-footer to get in with the double-bogey.
- The featured trio of the top-three players in the world -- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Scott -- were grouped together the first two rounds. Mickelson and Scott will play together on Saturday.
- The low round of the day and tournament was registered by Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard fired an impressive 66 on Friday to move into a tie for fifth at minus-one.
The question was asked Friday by Rocco Mediate, who had just finished off a 71 in the second round of the U.S. Open.
The 45-year-old Mediate, among the most popular and ebullient players on the PGA Tour, held the lead longer than any other player Friday at tough Torrey Pines.
But three back-nine bogeys left him one shot off the eventual second-round lead held by Stuart Appleby -- and tied for second place with, among others, Tiger Woods.
It's a situation that might have seemed impossible until Mediate survived an 11-man playoff at a qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, last week to earn himself a 13th start in his favorite tournament.
As much a fan of golf as he is one of its singular personalities, Mediate was clearly relishing the share of the spotlight he held Friday while playing what could be, by his own estimation, one of his last U.S. Opens.
Limited to 18 events in 2006 while battling a lingering back injury, Mediate played last season on a minor medical exemption. He has made 17 starts already this season, missing the cut eight times and withdrawing once.
His best finish came at the Memorial -- one day before his U.S. Open qualifier -- where he tied for sixth place.
And now this, heading to the weekend with a chance to win his first major championship. It's something Mediate, a five-time PGA Tour winner, knows will be hard to come by, even in his current position.
"There's only four of them a year...But you never know. You never know," he said. "I like what I saw the first two days, and I'm doing pretty good so far. So I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel on the first tee tomorrow. It will be exciting."
Despite Torrey Pines' daunting 7,600-yard layout, its deep rough and quickening greens, Mediate felt comfortable playing the picturesque Southern California course. It fits his eye, he said.
"It's such a good examination of everything you got," said Mediate. "Especially in your head. It's mostly a head game here."
At his age, and with his history of back problems, Mediate was happy to be in a good enough position to get a late third-round tee time. He will tee off with Appleby at 3 p.m. (pt).
"It's great," said Mediate. "I don't have many mornings left."
BYE-BYE POULTER
Englishman Ian Poulter withdrew on Friday after 15 holes with an unspecified injury.
"He just said he was off so he left us," said Luke Donald, who, along with Paul Casey played with Poulter through the first two rounds. "He just said good-bye and good luck."
Poulter was five-over par on his round and 12-over for the championship.
OPEN NOTES
- For the second day in a row, the par-four 12th played as the most difficult hole. On Friday, the 504-yard hole played to an average of 4.6323 shots. It has been the toughest hole for the week with an average of 4.6161.
- The par-five 18th played as the easiest hole again. In round two, the closing hole played to an average of 4.7727 shots. For the championship, it has been the easiest hole with a 4.7896 average.
- Angel Cabrera will not become the first player to successfully defend the U.S. Open title since Curtis Strange in 1988-89. Cabrera missed the cut at plus-13.
- There is still hope for a single-season Grand Slam. Masters champion Trevor Immelman shot a two-over 73 on Sunday and finished 36 holes at plus-six, nine shots off the lead.
- Leader Stuart Appleby's long birdie putt at his last hole got him to three- under par for the championship. Due to the rule that allows anyone within 10 shots of the lead to make the cut, that Appleby birdie knocked off 11 players eight-over par.
- Adam Scott carelessly double-bogeyed the 18th hole on Friday. He walked up to tap in a bogey putt, but the ball lipped out. Scott holed a four-footer to get in with the double-bogey.
- The featured trio of the top-three players in the world -- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Scott -- were grouped together the first two rounds. Mickelson and Scott will play together on Saturday.
- The low round of the day and tournament was registered by Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard fired an impressive 66 on Friday to move into a tie for fifth at minus-one.
Tiger Woods roars back on Day 2 of the US Open
Thomas Rooney - Saturday 14.06.08, 09:38am
You just can’t keep him out of the action for long can you? Tiger Woods was written off at the end of day one, with many people believing that a knee injury was enough to end his challenge for this year. Think again. The world number one went through the pain barrier to record a fantastic back nine of 30, moving one shot away from leader Stuart Appleby.
Tiger Woods would have been joint leader overnight, but Appleby birdied the 18th with a huge putt to secure a solid round of 70. Other players in amongst the leaders include Rocco Mediate, Robert Karlsson and Britain’s very own – Mr Lee Westwood. The 35-year-old is certainly flying the flag as far as Britain is concerned, joining Karlsson and Mediate on one under par at the end of day two.
In terms of the other British players, Luke Donald is still in with a shout on level par and after briefly holding the lead, Owen Wilson has an outside chance as he joins a group of players on one over par – just four shots off the lead.
It was a day to forget for Ian Poulter though – he didn’t even make it past the 15th hole. The man famous for his ‘unique’ fashion sense was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury after recording a double-bogey on both the 14th and 15th hole. Justin Rose hasn’t exactly had a memorable couple of days either. After finishing a respectable 10th last year, the Englishman failed to make the cut, as did European favourite Colin Montgomerie.
There is no doubting that all the attention is on Tiger Woods though as we approach day three of the US Open. Even an injury can stop a man, who is arguably one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. He was visibly in pain throughout, but managed to birdie four holes out of five in the back nine. This was in response to a fairly horrific start to the day when he hit to bogeys in his first three holes. Most players wouldn’t have recovered, but as we know – Tiger is no normal golfer.
In terms of US Open betting, how can anyone look beyond the American now? Everyone around him will be wary of the threat he provides and I expect him to be leading the tournament by the end of day three.
You just can’t keep him out of the action for long can you? Tiger Woods was written off at the end of day one, with many people believing that a knee injury was enough to end his challenge for this year. Think again. The world number one went through the pain barrier to record a fantastic back nine of 30, moving one shot away from leader Stuart Appleby.
Tiger Woods would have been joint leader overnight, but Appleby birdied the 18th with a huge putt to secure a solid round of 70. Other players in amongst the leaders include Rocco Mediate, Robert Karlsson and Britain’s very own – Mr Lee Westwood. The 35-year-old is certainly flying the flag as far as Britain is concerned, joining Karlsson and Mediate on one under par at the end of day two.
In terms of the other British players, Luke Donald is still in with a shout on level par and after briefly holding the lead, Owen Wilson has an outside chance as he joins a group of players on one over par – just four shots off the lead.
It was a day to forget for Ian Poulter though – he didn’t even make it past the 15th hole. The man famous for his ‘unique’ fashion sense was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury after recording a double-bogey on both the 14th and 15th hole. Justin Rose hasn’t exactly had a memorable couple of days either. After finishing a respectable 10th last year, the Englishman failed to make the cut, as did European favourite Colin Montgomerie.
There is no doubting that all the attention is on Tiger Woods though as we approach day three of the US Open. Even an injury can stop a man, who is arguably one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. He was visibly in pain throughout, but managed to birdie four holes out of five in the back nine. This was in response to a fairly horrific start to the day when he hit to bogeys in his first three holes. Most players wouldn’t have recovered, but as we know – Tiger is no normal golfer.
In terms of US Open betting, how can anyone look beyond the American now? Everyone around him will be wary of the threat he provides and I expect him to be leading the tournament by the end of day three.
Rocco Mediate continues his comeback
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Is golf the most fickle game of all? Of course. Meet Exhibit A: Rocco Mediate, 45. He went from Masters contender two years ago to just another Masters television viewer this year.
You may remember Mediate's meteoric '06 Masters. He led the tournament when he stepped to the ninth tee on Sunday. He then dunked three balls into Rae's Creek on the 12th hole — although CBS mercifully didn't show all of them — en route to a 10 that officially ended his run. Mediate knew his hopes were over at the ninth, actually, when his 8-iron approach shot clanged the flagstick and caromed off the green. His troublesome bad back blew up on that shot and as Mediate remembers, "I almost didn't make it up the hill." He practically crawled to the finish, shot 80, and plummeted to 36th place.
He bounced back (no pun intended) from his spinal issues last year after a long, hard wave of rehab for his body and a retooling for his swing by Jimmy Ballard. He also got a key assist from frequent golf buddy Arnold Palmer, who offered an exemption to his Bay Hill tournament. There Mediate finished second and won enough money to keep his exempt status after a medical exemption. He went on to rack up $1.1 million. It was a pretty good year, just not good enough to him back to Augusta.
"I told Cindi [his physical therapist], I can't watch it," Mediate said of the Masters telecast. "She said, 'Watch it, you should watch it, go watch it.' So I did. It was a devastating thing when my back happened. You don't get many opportunities to win a Masters. I know if I could've finished, I might not have won but I would've given it a shot. I would've much rather shot 75 or 80 because I stunk. That would've been easier to take. But my body just laid down on me. That really sucked."
Things are looking up in Rocco's world. His back is feeling better, obviously, since he has already played in 12 tournaments. At Harbour Town, possibly his favorite track, he made only his fourth cut of the year. Better still, he junked his long putter Friday in favor of a conventional short model and suddenly ran in seven birdie putts en route to a 65. It may be just the thing to spark the continuation of "Rocky 6," as Rocco dubbed last year's comeback run. He posted 71-72 on the weekend to finish at two under par.
"I've been hitting it great all year, and now the putting has improved immensely," said Mediate, who finished tied for 36th at the Verizon Heritage Classic. "I know when I'm healthy, I can play with these guys, and I'm healthy now. It's all good."
You may remember Mediate's meteoric '06 Masters. He led the tournament when he stepped to the ninth tee on Sunday. He then dunked three balls into Rae's Creek on the 12th hole — although CBS mercifully didn't show all of them — en route to a 10 that officially ended his run. Mediate knew his hopes were over at the ninth, actually, when his 8-iron approach shot clanged the flagstick and caromed off the green. His troublesome bad back blew up on that shot and as Mediate remembers, "I almost didn't make it up the hill." He practically crawled to the finish, shot 80, and plummeted to 36th place.
He bounced back (no pun intended) from his spinal issues last year after a long, hard wave of rehab for his body and a retooling for his swing by Jimmy Ballard. He also got a key assist from frequent golf buddy Arnold Palmer, who offered an exemption to his Bay Hill tournament. There Mediate finished second and won enough money to keep his exempt status after a medical exemption. He went on to rack up $1.1 million. It was a pretty good year, just not good enough to him back to Augusta.
"I told Cindi [his physical therapist], I can't watch it," Mediate said of the Masters telecast. "She said, 'Watch it, you should watch it, go watch it.' So I did. It was a devastating thing when my back happened. You don't get many opportunities to win a Masters. I know if I could've finished, I might not have won but I would've given it a shot. I would've much rather shot 75 or 80 because I stunk. That would've been easier to take. But my body just laid down on me. That really sucked."
Things are looking up in Rocco's world. His back is feeling better, obviously, since he has already played in 12 tournaments. At Harbour Town, possibly his favorite track, he made only his fourth cut of the year. Better still, he junked his long putter Friday in favor of a conventional short model and suddenly ran in seven birdie putts en route to a 65. It may be just the thing to spark the continuation of "Rocky 6," as Rocco dubbed last year's comeback run. He posted 71-72 on the weekend to finish at two under par.
"I've been hitting it great all year, and now the putting has improved immensely," said Mediate, who finished tied for 36th at the Verizon Heritage Classic. "I know when I'm healthy, I can play with these guys, and I'm healthy now. It's all good."
US Open half way completed- Stuart Appleby leads Tiger Woods and two others by one
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US Open half way completed- Stuart Appleby leads Tiger Woods and two others by one
Posted by Bill JemptyPublished: June 14, 2008 - 8:44 AM
With 36 holes to go, and with Tiger standing only shot back, some people are ready to crown the World's best golfer as US Open champion already. I'm not one of them.
Only a week ago we had a similar storyline forming at the LPGA. #1 woman golfer Lorena Ochoa looking for her third straight major, was up by one shot going into the weekend. A golf writer I like, blogged that only the weather looked likely to slow Ochoa's march to victory. Instead, a tour rookie(Who had finished second twice already in 08) named Yani Tseng derailed the Ochoa Grand Slam express. What's to stop the a similar surprise from happening this weekend?
Second round leader Stuart Appleby has never won a major. The closest he has ever come was Appleby taking part in the 4-way playoff(along with Steve Elkington and Thomas Levet) at the 2002 British Open won by Ernie Els. Other than that Appleby's only shot legit shot at a major was the 2007 Masters. He led going into the final round before finishing T7th. Appleby has won eight PGA tournaments in his career. An argument can be made for he being the best player on tour without a major championship triumph. Off the course Appleby has a interesting story. Next month will mark 10 years since his wife Renay was killed in a fluke accident while the couple was in London England. After several years spent grieving, Appleby married again and has at least two children with his new wife.
Appleby is a good player, but in spite of his having the lead he is being overshadowed by Tiger at present. The same can be said for the other golfers who are near the top of the leaderboard. Which include former major champions Davis Love III, Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy, plus more than solid international golfers Miguel Jimenez, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Robert Allenby. All of these players stand within two shots of Tiger and three of Appleby.
Note- I have always liked Rocco Mediate since I watched him in person play in a PGA tournamenet about 20 years ago. Rocco, who is one shot back and tied with Tiger, would be my sentimental favorite. As much as I like Rocco, I know his chances aren't very good on the weekend even if you took Tiger out of the equation.
I didn't think Tiger would win this week, and with him standing one shot out of the lead, the chances are strong I'll be wrong. What I'm trying to say is Tiger isn't a shoo-in to win the tournament.
US Open half way completed- Stuart Appleby leads Tiger Woods and two others by one
Posted by Bill JemptyPublished: June 14, 2008 - 8:44 AM
With 36 holes to go, and with Tiger standing only shot back, some people are ready to crown the World's best golfer as US Open champion already. I'm not one of them.
Only a week ago we had a similar storyline forming at the LPGA. #1 woman golfer Lorena Ochoa looking for her third straight major, was up by one shot going into the weekend. A golf writer I like, blogged that only the weather looked likely to slow Ochoa's march to victory. Instead, a tour rookie(Who had finished second twice already in 08) named Yani Tseng derailed the Ochoa Grand Slam express. What's to stop the a similar surprise from happening this weekend?
Second round leader Stuart Appleby has never won a major. The closest he has ever come was Appleby taking part in the 4-way playoff(along with Steve Elkington and Thomas Levet) at the 2002 British Open won by Ernie Els. Other than that Appleby's only shot legit shot at a major was the 2007 Masters. He led going into the final round before finishing T7th. Appleby has won eight PGA tournaments in his career. An argument can be made for he being the best player on tour without a major championship triumph. Off the course Appleby has a interesting story. Next month will mark 10 years since his wife Renay was killed in a fluke accident while the couple was in London England. After several years spent grieving, Appleby married again and has at least two children with his new wife.
Appleby is a good player, but in spite of his having the lead he is being overshadowed by Tiger at present. The same can be said for the other golfers who are near the top of the leaderboard. Which include former major champions Davis Love III, Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy, plus more than solid international golfers Miguel Jimenez, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Robert Allenby. All of these players stand within two shots of Tiger and three of Appleby.
Note- I have always liked Rocco Mediate since I watched him in person play in a PGA tournamenet about 20 years ago. Rocco, who is one shot back and tied with Tiger, would be my sentimental favorite. As much as I like Rocco, I know his chances aren't very good on the weekend even if you took Tiger out of the equation.
I didn't think Tiger would win this week, and with him standing one shot out of the lead, the chances are strong I'll be wrong. What I'm trying to say is Tiger isn't a shoo-in to win the tournament.
Mediate shoots into the lead
Rocco Mediate climbed to the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the US Open as play edged past the halfway point.
The American is on four-under after taking a two-shot lead over Eric Axley, who is just one shot in front of Davis Love III, DJ Trahan, and Australian Stuart Appleby.
Another Aussie, Robert Allenby, leads a list of nine players on even par. AMongst those are Phil Mickelson, Swedish pair Robert Karlsson and Carl Pettersson, South Africa's Ernie Els, Argentina's Andres Romero, and English duo Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.
Just outside the leading pack are Australian Adam Scott, England's Oliver Wilson, American trio Scott Verplank, Stewart Cink, Tiger Woods, and Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington.
England's Ian Poulter was forced to withdraw after fifteen holes due to a wrist complaint, but was well off the pace when he eventually retired.
The American is on four-under after taking a two-shot lead over Eric Axley, who is just one shot in front of Davis Love III, DJ Trahan, and Australian Stuart Appleby.
Another Aussie, Robert Allenby, leads a list of nine players on even par. AMongst those are Phil Mickelson, Swedish pair Robert Karlsson and Carl Pettersson, South Africa's Ernie Els, Argentina's Andres Romero, and English duo Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.
Just outside the leading pack are Australian Adam Scott, England's Oliver Wilson, American trio Scott Verplank, Stewart Cink, Tiger Woods, and Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington.
England's Ian Poulter was forced to withdraw after fifteen holes due to a wrist complaint, but was well off the pace when he eventually retired.
Rocco Mediate Qualifies for U.S. Open; Other Mocs Fall Short
Rocco Mediate qualified for the U.S. Open on Monday at Columbus, Ohio, but only after an intense playoff involving 11 players.
Mediate, who played at Florida Southern in the mid-1980s, shot 72-67 to earn one of 23 spots at the sectional qualifier played at Brookside Golf and Country Club and the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
But Mediate, who lives in Naples, had to survive the playoff that decided the final seven spots at Columbus, one of 13 sectionals played on Monday across the nation.
Bart Bryant of Winter Garden, the younger brother of Brad Bryant of Lakeland, qualified at Columbus, the runner-up behind medalist Carl Pettersson with rounds of 69-65.
Mediate will joiner former Florida Southern teammate Lee Janzen of Orlando at the U.S. Open June 12-15 at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Janzen, a Lakeland High graduate, was exempt from qualifying.
Mediate was one of seven former FSC golfers competing in the sectionals.
Marco Dawson of Lakeland, also a teammate of Janzen and Mediate, fell short in the sectional at Cordova, Tenn. Dawson fired a 65 in the morning round, but slipped to a 74 and missed the playoff by two strokes. That qualifier was held at Colonial Country Club and Chickasaw Country Club.
Darron Stiles was one of nine players in the playoff for the final spot at Cordova, but finished third and settled for the first alternate spot. Stiles, who shot 68-69, will play in the Open if one of the 14 golfers who qualified drops out. But that's not likely.
In the sectional qualifier at Tequesta, Drew Mathews of Winter Haven shot 75-73 at the Jupiter Hills Club and fell seven shots short of a playoff for the final spot. Joey Lamielle of Sarasota earned the third and final spot at Tequesta in a lengthy playoff Tuesday morning with Julian Suri of St. Augustine and Rod Perry of Port Orange. Lamielle holed a 15-foot putt for birdie on the ninth playoff hole to advance, eliminating Suri. Perry dropped out on the third playoff hole as Lamielle and Suri made birdies.
B.J. Pitzen of Lakeland, a former Moc who advanced from the local qualifier at Lone Palm on May 5, shot 70-74 at Columbus to miss the playoff by five strokes. And Matt Stauch, an upcoming junior at Florida Southern, posted rounds of 76-78 at Columbus.
Zoran Ilic of Lakeland, a former FSC player who also advanced at Lone Palm, failed to qualify at Lake Forest, Ill. Ilic shot 77-71 at Conway Farms Golf Club, missing by seven strokes.
And former Moc Steve Sokol of Connecticut came up short at Purchase, N.Y. Sokol shot 73-72, two strokes from a playoff.
Fernando Figueroa of Chapel Hill, N.C., the medalist at Lone Palm, qualified for the Open at Springfield Country Club in Columbus, which was the site of two different sectionals. Figueroa, who fired a 10-under-par 62 at Lone Palm, shot a pair of 67s to finish third and gain one of six spots awarded.
Chip Deason of Jacksonville and Josh McCumber of Orange Park, the other two players who advanced at Lone Palm, didn't qualify. Deason shot 73-72 at Roswell, Ga., to miss by 11 strokes. McCumber carded a pair of 71s to miss a playoff by one shot at Lake Forest.
Mediate, who played at Florida Southern in the mid-1980s, shot 72-67 to earn one of 23 spots at the sectional qualifier played at Brookside Golf and Country Club and the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
But Mediate, who lives in Naples, had to survive the playoff that decided the final seven spots at Columbus, one of 13 sectionals played on Monday across the nation.
Bart Bryant of Winter Garden, the younger brother of Brad Bryant of Lakeland, qualified at Columbus, the runner-up behind medalist Carl Pettersson with rounds of 69-65.
Mediate will joiner former Florida Southern teammate Lee Janzen of Orlando at the U.S. Open June 12-15 at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Janzen, a Lakeland High graduate, was exempt from qualifying.
Mediate was one of seven former FSC golfers competing in the sectionals.
Marco Dawson of Lakeland, also a teammate of Janzen and Mediate, fell short in the sectional at Cordova, Tenn. Dawson fired a 65 in the morning round, but slipped to a 74 and missed the playoff by two strokes. That qualifier was held at Colonial Country Club and Chickasaw Country Club.
Darron Stiles was one of nine players in the playoff for the final spot at Cordova, but finished third and settled for the first alternate spot. Stiles, who shot 68-69, will play in the Open if one of the 14 golfers who qualified drops out. But that's not likely.
In the sectional qualifier at Tequesta, Drew Mathews of Winter Haven shot 75-73 at the Jupiter Hills Club and fell seven shots short of a playoff for the final spot. Joey Lamielle of Sarasota earned the third and final spot at Tequesta in a lengthy playoff Tuesday morning with Julian Suri of St. Augustine and Rod Perry of Port Orange. Lamielle holed a 15-foot putt for birdie on the ninth playoff hole to advance, eliminating Suri. Perry dropped out on the third playoff hole as Lamielle and Suri made birdies.
B.J. Pitzen of Lakeland, a former Moc who advanced from the local qualifier at Lone Palm on May 5, shot 70-74 at Columbus to miss the playoff by five strokes. And Matt Stauch, an upcoming junior at Florida Southern, posted rounds of 76-78 at Columbus.
Zoran Ilic of Lakeland, a former FSC player who also advanced at Lone Palm, failed to qualify at Lake Forest, Ill. Ilic shot 77-71 at Conway Farms Golf Club, missing by seven strokes.
And former Moc Steve Sokol of Connecticut came up short at Purchase, N.Y. Sokol shot 73-72, two strokes from a playoff.
Fernando Figueroa of Chapel Hill, N.C., the medalist at Lone Palm, qualified for the Open at Springfield Country Club in Columbus, which was the site of two different sectionals. Figueroa, who fired a 10-under-par 62 at Lone Palm, shot a pair of 67s to finish third and gain one of six spots awarded.
Chip Deason of Jacksonville and Josh McCumber of Orange Park, the other two players who advanced at Lone Palm, didn't qualify. Deason shot 73-72 at Roswell, Ga., to miss by 11 strokes. McCumber carded a pair of 71s to miss a playoff by one shot at Lake Forest.
What they said: Rocco Mediate
ROCCO MEDIATE: Bet you didn't think I'd be back here, did you?
Q. Congratulations.
ROCCO MEDIATE: Thank you. I had a blast.
Q. Describe your day.
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's just -- I started out -- I played as good a front nine as I could play. I think I hit every fairway and a couple of greens, a couple of fringes. It's my favorite kind of golf. It's hard. Most of us are not machines, especially myself. I missed a few on the back nine and I had to pay.
I love this type of golf. This golf course is set up so nice, it's good. But it's my favorite tournament.
Q. You've been in this position before. Can you take from those other times and be able to maybe now take that next step?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I know what it's going to be on the weekend is putting. Hopefully I'll be able to hit the ball as well as I did today and keeping it in front of me the next two days. It's going to get harder and tighten down and not get easier. There are a lot of people chasing everybody. Who knows who will lead. It's going to be hard and you have to deal with it. Around par is going to win this, but the way things look, who knows.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: Yesterday I played early. Today the poa is sticking up a bit. I grew up on this stuff. I misread a lot of putts early, I thought they were a lot faster and I left them short and I should have known better. They're fine. It's set up great.
Q. You struggled before and have not been able to play the way you wanted. How do you feel right now?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I feel absolutely perfect. I have no problems. Is there any wood up here? I have no problems.
Q. It's good to be back in position?
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's great. I don't have many mornings left. I'm in a great spot. We'll see what happens.
Q. What is your game plan for tomorrow?
ROCCO MEDIATE: They're hard to hit.
Q. You seemed relaxed. Is that a result of being out in front?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I'm like that all the time. I do the same thing, it doesn't matter. Everyone says -- I'm playing pretty good in a U.S. Open, how could I be angry? I was pretty pleased. It will be nerve-wracking and insane the next few days.
Q. The fact the sun didn't come out, was that --
ROCCO MEDIATE: It came out early early. You guys say marine layer. Like Curtis said, it's fog for most people. The wind laid down a little bit, but not like it was late yesterday morning and early afternoon. It had to help. It didn't get any firmer yesterday.
Q. Yesterday the sun was out.
ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, so it was firmer. It laid down all day. The fog came in -- the marine layer came in all day.
Q. What's making this golf course so difficult?
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's that word, the U.S. Open thing they have on most of the pins. It's so hard. The greens are so firm. They're not really firm, they're not real, real firm yet, but they're plenty. You see the scores -- a lot of guys said this golf course will play much easier for a U.S. Open. If somebody gets to 3-under, it's 3-under par, and it's not going to get easier on the weekend. It seems like they always run first day is easiest, second day is a little harder and it keeps going.
Q. How do you compare this to other Opens?
ROCCO MEDIATE: This is the best. It's perfect. Nothing is wrong. The pins are all good. He put 18 up two days, I like to see that. 13 was way back today. I think that's great. And the 3 and 16 changes, I think that's a great idea. They're doing a great job. I think most of the guys will say the same thing. I haven't heard any complaining this week.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: That's the dream. That's what you want. I mean you don't get a lot of chances to play with the best player that does anything, especially at my age. And I played with him a lot -- not a lot, several times over the years. And it's quite a -- it's awesome. I mean you want that. You want that.
Q. How much does your attitude about The Open affect you? How much do you think that comes into play and how you're doing?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I just like a golf course where you have to be precise. I happen to be starting to play better and I'm feeling better and I'm moving the ball pretty good right now. I'm putting it where I want most of the time. It's not going to happen all the time. And that's what you have to deal with. I'm doing a job. But I like the fact that I need to make 8 birdies a day -- it would be nice to.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: We're going to find out. I think I can, but there are some other guys it that might have a different say about that. We'll see. I'll give it a shot.
Q. Congratulations.
ROCCO MEDIATE: Thank you. I had a blast.
Q. Describe your day.
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's just -- I started out -- I played as good a front nine as I could play. I think I hit every fairway and a couple of greens, a couple of fringes. It's my favorite kind of golf. It's hard. Most of us are not machines, especially myself. I missed a few on the back nine and I had to pay.
I love this type of golf. This golf course is set up so nice, it's good. But it's my favorite tournament.
Q. You've been in this position before. Can you take from those other times and be able to maybe now take that next step?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I know what it's going to be on the weekend is putting. Hopefully I'll be able to hit the ball as well as I did today and keeping it in front of me the next two days. It's going to get harder and tighten down and not get easier. There are a lot of people chasing everybody. Who knows who will lead. It's going to be hard and you have to deal with it. Around par is going to win this, but the way things look, who knows.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: Yesterday I played early. Today the poa is sticking up a bit. I grew up on this stuff. I misread a lot of putts early, I thought they were a lot faster and I left them short and I should have known better. They're fine. It's set up great.
Q. You struggled before and have not been able to play the way you wanted. How do you feel right now?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I feel absolutely perfect. I have no problems. Is there any wood up here? I have no problems.
Q. It's good to be back in position?
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's great. I don't have many mornings left. I'm in a great spot. We'll see what happens.
Q. What is your game plan for tomorrow?
ROCCO MEDIATE: They're hard to hit.
Q. You seemed relaxed. Is that a result of being out in front?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I'm like that all the time. I do the same thing, it doesn't matter. Everyone says -- I'm playing pretty good in a U.S. Open, how could I be angry? I was pretty pleased. It will be nerve-wracking and insane the next few days.
Q. The fact the sun didn't come out, was that --
ROCCO MEDIATE: It came out early early. You guys say marine layer. Like Curtis said, it's fog for most people. The wind laid down a little bit, but not like it was late yesterday morning and early afternoon. It had to help. It didn't get any firmer yesterday.
Q. Yesterday the sun was out.
ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, so it was firmer. It laid down all day. The fog came in -- the marine layer came in all day.
Q. What's making this golf course so difficult?
ROCCO MEDIATE: It's that word, the U.S. Open thing they have on most of the pins. It's so hard. The greens are so firm. They're not really firm, they're not real, real firm yet, but they're plenty. You see the scores -- a lot of guys said this golf course will play much easier for a U.S. Open. If somebody gets to 3-under, it's 3-under par, and it's not going to get easier on the weekend. It seems like they always run first day is easiest, second day is a little harder and it keeps going.
Q. How do you compare this to other Opens?
ROCCO MEDIATE: This is the best. It's perfect. Nothing is wrong. The pins are all good. He put 18 up two days, I like to see that. 13 was way back today. I think that's great. And the 3 and 16 changes, I think that's a great idea. They're doing a great job. I think most of the guys will say the same thing. I haven't heard any complaining this week.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: That's the dream. That's what you want. I mean you don't get a lot of chances to play with the best player that does anything, especially at my age. And I played with him a lot -- not a lot, several times over the years. And it's quite a -- it's awesome. I mean you want that. You want that.
Q. How much does your attitude about The Open affect you? How much do you think that comes into play and how you're doing?
ROCCO MEDIATE: I just like a golf course where you have to be precise. I happen to be starting to play better and I'm feeling better and I'm moving the ball pretty good right now. I'm putting it where I want most of the time. It's not going to happen all the time. And that's what you have to deal with. I'm doing a job. But I like the fact that I need to make 8 birdies a day -- it would be nice to.
Q. (Inaudible.)
ROCCO MEDIATE: We're going to find out. I think I can, but there are some other guys it that might have a different say about that. We'll see. I'll give it a shot.
Rocco Mediate's Putter
I said years ago that Rocco was a class player... When did he switch back to a "regular' length putter ?? I know the odds are against it, but I'd love to see him win The US Open
2008年6月13日 星期五
Is Tim Russert a democrat or republican?
Russert worked for a Democratic New York U.S. Senator and a Democratic New York State Governor before becoming a journalist. This type of transition is typical in American media-- former Democratic Party staff become the media. For example, George Stepanopolis is on ABC as a Political Commentator. He used to work in Democratic President Bill Clinton's White House. Studies have shown that journalists as a group vote 9-to-1 for Democrats.
Tim Russert Biography
Early life
Born in Buffalo, New York to Irish American Catholic parents, Russert is an alum of Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York and a graduate of John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. Although Russert was of age during the peak of the Vietnam War, he has no military service. Russert was admitted to the bar in New York and the District of Columbia. Before joining NBC News, Russert served as counselor in New York Governor Mario Cuomo's office in Albany in 1983 to 1984 and was chief of staff to Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan from 1977 to 1982. An avid fan of the American Football team the Buffalo Bills, Russert usually closes Sunday broadcasts during the football season with some type of pro-Bills comment. He has also ended his show by mentioning the successes of Boston College football and basketball. With the recent success of the Buffalo Sabres, he has also begun to show tribute to the Sabres at the close of some shows. When the Sabres lost Game 7 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals, Russert looked into the camera and heartfully said, "I hate the Buffalo Sabres. They have betrayed me yet again and for this I will never forgive them."
Career
Russert graduated from law school and went to work on Daniel Patrick Moynihan's (D, NY) 1976 Senatorial campaign. He later went to work on Mario Cuomo (D, NY) campaign. In 1984 he was hired by NBC at their Washington Bureau. He became Washington Bureau Chief 4 years later. "[1]
During NBC's coverage of the 2000 US Presidential Election he calculated possible electoral college outcomes on a marker board on the air, accurately predicting in advance that the election would hinge on "Florida, Florida, Florida." Four years later, Russert would again accurately predict the final battleground of the presidential elections: "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio." He often moderates political debates.
On MSNBC's show "Tucker," Russert predicted that the battleground states of the 2008 presidential election would be New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada, saying "If democrats can win three of those four, they can lose Ohio and Florida, and win the presidency."[2]
The marker board is a recurring theme on election nights.
Personal life
Tim Russert’ recent book, Wisdom of Our Fathers
In 2004, Russert penned a bestselling biography, Big Russ and Me, which chronicled his life growing up in a predominantly Irish working-class neighborhood in South Buffalo as well as his education at Canisius High School. Russert's father, a World War II veteran held down two jobs after the war, conveyed to his young son, through the methods of the "carrot and the stick," the importance of maintaining strong family values, the reverence of faith, and of never taking a short cut to reach a goal. He claimed to have received over 60,000 letters from people in response to the book, detailing their own experiences with their fathers.[citations needed] In 2005 he released Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, a collection of some of these letters, which also became a bestseller.[citations needed]
While in law school, an official from his alma mater, John Carroll University, called Tim to ask if he could book some concerts for the school as he had done while a student. Tim agreed, but said he would need money to do it because he was running out of money to pay for law school. One concert that Tim booked was headlined by a then-unknown singer, Bruce Springsteen, who charged $2,500 for the concert appearance. Tim told this story to Jay Leno when he was a guest on the The Tonight Show on NBC on June 6, 2006.[1] On September 28, 2007, Springsteen and the E Street Band played live on the Today show in Rockefeller Plaza, and Tim could be seen listening to the music in casual dress toward the front of the stage.
Russert appeared briefly in a scene on the television drama Homicide as himself. On that show, one of the fictional characters, Megan Russert, was his cousin. Russert also appeared on the game show What Would You Do?
Tim Russert is married to Maureen Orth, who has been a special correspondent for Vanity Fair since 1983. They have a son, Luke, who attends Boston College and hosts the XM radio show 60/20 Sports with James Carville. Russert is a Washington Nationals and Washington Wizards season ticket holder. [2]
Ongoing CIA leak scandal
Scooter Libby, chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, told special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that Russert was the first to tell him of the identity of Central Intelligence Agency agent Valerie Plame (Mrs. Joseph C. Wilson). Russert testified previously and again in United States v. I. Lewis Libby that he did not tell Libby of Mrs. Wilson's CIA identity.[citations needed]
Russert testified again in the trial on Wednesday, February 7, 2007.
During the trial, another witness, former Cheney communications director Cathie Martin, testified that she "suggested we put the vice president on 'Meet the Press,'" hosted by Russert on NBC, and that it was "a tactic we often used....It's our best format."[3]
Born in Buffalo, New York to Irish American Catholic parents, Russert is an alum of Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York and a graduate of John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. Although Russert was of age during the peak of the Vietnam War, he has no military service. Russert was admitted to the bar in New York and the District of Columbia. Before joining NBC News, Russert served as counselor in New York Governor Mario Cuomo's office in Albany in 1983 to 1984 and was chief of staff to Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan from 1977 to 1982. An avid fan of the American Football team the Buffalo Bills, Russert usually closes Sunday broadcasts during the football season with some type of pro-Bills comment. He has also ended his show by mentioning the successes of Boston College football and basketball. With the recent success of the Buffalo Sabres, he has also begun to show tribute to the Sabres at the close of some shows. When the Sabres lost Game 7 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals, Russert looked into the camera and heartfully said, "I hate the Buffalo Sabres. They have betrayed me yet again and for this I will never forgive them."
Career
Russert graduated from law school and went to work on Daniel Patrick Moynihan's (D, NY) 1976 Senatorial campaign. He later went to work on Mario Cuomo (D, NY) campaign. In 1984 he was hired by NBC at their Washington Bureau. He became Washington Bureau Chief 4 years later. "[1]
During NBC's coverage of the 2000 US Presidential Election he calculated possible electoral college outcomes on a marker board on the air, accurately predicting in advance that the election would hinge on "Florida, Florida, Florida." Four years later, Russert would again accurately predict the final battleground of the presidential elections: "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio." He often moderates political debates.
On MSNBC's show "Tucker," Russert predicted that the battleground states of the 2008 presidential election would be New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada, saying "If democrats can win three of those four, they can lose Ohio and Florida, and win the presidency."[2]
The marker board is a recurring theme on election nights.
Personal life
Tim Russert’ recent book, Wisdom of Our Fathers
In 2004, Russert penned a bestselling biography, Big Russ and Me, which chronicled his life growing up in a predominantly Irish working-class neighborhood in South Buffalo as well as his education at Canisius High School. Russert's father, a World War II veteran held down two jobs after the war, conveyed to his young son, through the methods of the "carrot and the stick," the importance of maintaining strong family values, the reverence of faith, and of never taking a short cut to reach a goal. He claimed to have received over 60,000 letters from people in response to the book, detailing their own experiences with their fathers.[citations needed] In 2005 he released Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, a collection of some of these letters, which also became a bestseller.[citations needed]
While in law school, an official from his alma mater, John Carroll University, called Tim to ask if he could book some concerts for the school as he had done while a student. Tim agreed, but said he would need money to do it because he was running out of money to pay for law school. One concert that Tim booked was headlined by a then-unknown singer, Bruce Springsteen, who charged $2,500 for the concert appearance. Tim told this story to Jay Leno when he was a guest on the The Tonight Show on NBC on June 6, 2006.[1] On September 28, 2007, Springsteen and the E Street Band played live on the Today show in Rockefeller Plaza, and Tim could be seen listening to the music in casual dress toward the front of the stage.
Russert appeared briefly in a scene on the television drama Homicide as himself. On that show, one of the fictional characters, Megan Russert, was his cousin. Russert also appeared on the game show What Would You Do?
Tim Russert is married to Maureen Orth, who has been a special correspondent for Vanity Fair since 1983. They have a son, Luke, who attends Boston College and hosts the XM radio show 60/20 Sports with James Carville. Russert is a Washington Nationals and Washington Wizards season ticket holder. [2]
Ongoing CIA leak scandal
Scooter Libby, chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, told special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that Russert was the first to tell him of the identity of Central Intelligence Agency agent Valerie Plame (Mrs. Joseph C. Wilson). Russert testified previously and again in United States v. I. Lewis Libby that he did not tell Libby of Mrs. Wilson's CIA identity.[citations needed]
Russert testified again in the trial on Wednesday, February 7, 2007.
During the trial, another witness, former Cheney communications director Cathie Martin, testified that she "suggested we put the vice president on 'Meet the Press,'" hosted by Russert on NBC, and that it was "a tactic we often used....It's our best format."[3]
Tim Russert
Timothy John Russert, Jr. (born May 7, 1950) is an American journalist who has hosted NBC's Meet the Press since 1991. He is the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, and hosts Tim Russert, a weekly interview program on MSNBC. He is also a frequent correspondent and guest on other NBC News programs, such as The Today Show and Hardball. He co-hosts the network's presidential Election Night coverage. He also presents the polling results of the NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey on the NBC Nightly News alongside the anchor of the show.
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