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His back was to the wall again. A day after forcing a playoff with a remarkable birdie on 18, there was Tiger Woods- the best player in golf being severely tested by 45 year-old Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

Mediate was seeking to become the oldest winner in U.S. Open history. It had looked bleak for the likeable veteran who built a solid relationship with the 12,000 spectators. He trailed Tiger by three strokes after 10 holes. That didn’t deter him a bit as he valiantly rallying by making three straight birdies to suddenly comeback and take a one-shot lead with three holes to go.

When Mediate stayed composed and parred 16 and 17 matching Woods, it looked like he was destined to make history and achieve a dream by upsetting the best golfer on the planet. But like Sunday, Tiger never gave in. After Mediate missed a chance to win it parring 18, the 32 year-old first-time father birdied the hole to once again tie and force sudden death.

Woods was just a little better during the 19th hole parring it while Mediate couldn’t save face after putting his tee shot in the sand. When his par attempt narrowly missed right of the hole, a close friend who wore basically an identical outfit without the vest had his third U.S. Open trophy and 14th career major, trailing only legendary Jack Nicklaus by four. It’s worth noting that Nicklaus didn’t win his 14th until age 35.

Following the exciting back and forth victory, an emotional Woods called it the best win of his career. He had returned from knee surgery to clean up cartilage and showed guts staying in there. But that’s why he’s the best at his sport maybe in its history. He’s tough and doesn’t fold when the pressure’s on. Much like Nike associate Michael Jordan and pal Roger Federer, Tiger’s money when it’s riding on the line. That’s what separates him from all the other golfers in his sport.

It was the 65th victory of his brilliant career passing Ben Hogan for third all-time.

“This is probably the greatest tournament I’ve ever had,” Woods admitted to NBC’s Bob Costas during an interview on the green.

Oh how his knee held up, he hinted that he would take some time off.

“I’m going to shut it down for a while,” Woods said.

As for the runner-up, though it was a disappointing conclusion, he was pleased overall and showed class.

“Obviously, I would have loved to win,” Mediate noted. “I don’t know what else to say. They wanted a show, they got one.”

“I never quit. I never quit,” he added. “I’ve been beaten down a few times and came back, and I got what I wanted.

“I got a chance to beat the best player in the world. And I came up just a touch short.”