U.S. Open playoff

Woods drops to his knees as he misses a birdie putt on the 7th hole in a sudden death playoff. (Par was all Woods needed to win against Rocco Mediate.)  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

After dropping to his knees, Woods drops his club after missing the 7th-hole birdie.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Woods looks more relieved than jubilant after Rocco Mediate missed a putt on the 7th hole.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate, right, congratulates caddie Steve Williams and Woods after Woods’ win.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Woods gets a hug from Mediate after Mediate’s missed putt on the 7th hole gave Woods the victory.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Woods is escorted off the 18th hole after winning the U.S. Open.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Woods and Mediate share a laugh during the trophy presentation after Woods’ victory.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate stretches before he and Woods tee off on the 1st hole during the playoff at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Woods reacts to his tee shot on the 1st hole.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Woods and his caddie, Steve Williams, make their way to the second tee.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate pops a chip shot out of the rough on the 2nd hole.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate walks off the 3rd green after putting for birdie during the playoff.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Woods, facing the ocean, chips out of the bunker on the 3rd hole during the playoff.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Woods hits out of a greenside bunker on the 4th hole during the playoff.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate tosses his club after hitting into the rough on the fourth hole during the playoff.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Mediate reacts after missing a putt on the 5th hole.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

The grandstands are full as Woods hits his approach shot into the 5th green at Torrey Pines.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)