Woods Plays Through Pain Barrier to Claim Us Open at 91st Hole

In his 500th week as world No1, Tiger Woods claimed the 14th major championship of his career, requiring five rounds and one hole to beat Rocco Mediate to the US Open title at Torrey Pines.

Woods, playing his first tournament since undergoing knee surgery last month, was in danger of having to pull out of the tournament on Friday, but yesterday forced an 18-hole play-off with Mediate, which he won today at the first extra hole. Woods is now four majors short of Jack Nicklaus's record tally.

After staying alive with a 15-foot putt on Sunday, Woods again birdied the last in today's play-off to stop 45-year-old qualifier Mediate becoming the championship's oldest winner. They were both round in level par 71s as a result, Mediate having come from three down after 10 to lead by one on the final tee.

But the characteristically tenacious Woods refused to yield and claimed the title when his opponent, ranked 158th in the world, bogeyed the first extra hole of sudden death. It was both men's 91st hole of the week.

Woods made it a remarkable five straight victories at the San Diego venue and took his on-course career earnings through the $100 million mark. If not the greatest victory of all the 87 he has now had as a professional, it was certainly the most unlikely when he started with a double bogey and appeared well short of full fitness.

His play-off record now, though, is 16-3 - and he has maintained his record of winning every single major he has led after 54 holes.