Tiger Woods gives a face to the saying “no pain, no gain,” as he won the U.S. Open for the third time on Monday afternoon.

Woods beat Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff.

Mediate probably would have been the Open Champion last Sunday, if Woods hadn’t made a birdie on the last hole.

He probably would have won again on Monday if Woods hadn’t once again made a birdie on the 18th hole.

Woods did all of this on a new knee.

He had not played since April 15, when he underwent knee surgery on his left knee.

Doctors had even warned Woods not to play because he could risk further injury to his knee.

Of course, that didn’t stop Tiger.

This goes to show that golf is a sport that needs to be respected.

It seems like people only associate golf with rich people who belong to a country club, and golf as a social thing.

You see these stereotypes all of the time in movies and television shows.

Also, the only time you see golf is the occasional tournament on television, and several snippets on ESPN’s Sportscenter.

Just because there is no contact or blood, doesn’t mean that golf isn’t an intense sport.

You have to be so precise on where and how you hit the ball.

One false move, and you could lose it all.

However, it doesn’t stop at Woods.

Mediate has a story himself.

He has the story of the underestimated underdog, who comes in and gives the champ a run for his money.

Two weeks ago, Mediate had to undergo a sudden-death playoff just to qualify for the U.S. Open.

He came into the tournament ranked 158 in the world.

At the age of 45, Mediate went into the tournament searching for the win.

However, he definitely left the tournament a well-respected athlete.

The rollercoaster ride of ups-and -downs for both golfers will probably go down in history as one of the most exciting tournaments ever.

It all came down to the last hole, and to who really wanted it more.

The only problem was: they both wanted it bad.

Just hearing about the tournament made me wish I had watched it.

This goes to show that golfing isn’t just about the fancy clothes they wear.

It is an actual sport with intensity that also takes patience and years of training.

Molly Clutter can be reached at 581-7944 or at mkclutter@eiu.edu.