There were only two players in the field of the inaugural Shaw Charity Classic that, like Madonna or Sting, are immediately identifiable by their first name.
And while everyone recognizes Freddie – laid-back American Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples who was undoubtedly the biggest golf star in Calgary this week – it was Rocco who won over the fans and overwhelmed the course.
There’s only one Rocco Mediate, the American whose frenetic personality and incessant chatting with playing partners, caddies and spectators has made him a favourite of Calgary golf fans all week.
Lacking the muscular physique of many modern golfers, the bald Mediate appears as an immediately relatable everyman to many golf fans, thousands of whom followed him during the final round of the Shaw Charity Classic.
But it wasn’t just his personality that was on display at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, it was his remarkable game. Mediate fired an incredible 7-under 64 for the second straight day to record a 7-stroke victory over a distant Tom Byrum.
His three-day total of 191 ties a Champions Tour record.
“I knew going into the day if I shot five or six under today I probably won’t lose – probably,” Mediate said.
Mediate, a Champions Tour rookie, managed six victories on the PGA Tour, but is most recognizable for his 2008 playoff battle at the U.S. Open against Tiger Woods. Woods, it turned out, was playing with a stress fracture in his left leg.
Mediate took Woods to a sudden-death hole before losing. However, his performance cemented his reputation as one of golf’s most popular players.
That’s not to suggest amid the cheers of “Rocco, you da man,” and high-fives to the crowd, that Mediate’s final round at Canyon Meadows was a cakewalk.
Looking at the final score, one could be forgiven for thinking that was the case.
But his run-and-gun approach to the game means Mediate often walks a fine line between brilliance and disaster. And even with a six shot lead coming into the final holes, Mediate said he wanted to keep his foot to the floor, making more birdies and putting more distance between himself and competitors that were increasingly trailing further behind.
“I’ve never had a lead like that,” Mediate said. “And I wanted to get out as far as I could.”
One of the turning points in the tournament came on Mediate’s 15th hole, a par five that proved the easiest at Canyon Meadows.
However, disaster can lurk on the approach to the green, where players have to carry a marshy area and a pond.
With hundreds of spectators following, Mediate’s drive on the hole hooked into trees left of the fairway. Despite that, he had a window to the green through some trees and took a risk he felt was worth taking.
After discussing his situation with longtime caddie Martin Courtois, Mediate slashed a hybrid that carried more than 206 yards to the green and rolled up within a few feet of the cup. The resulting eagle all but guaranteed a victory.
“That’s just how Rocco plays,” said Tom Pernice Jr., who played in the final group with Mediate and finished in a tie for fifth with playing partner Bobby Clampett.
Mediate admitted the shot was risky.
“It rolled up stiff – it was sick,” Mediate said. “But if you miss that shot you’re an idiot.”
After holing the eagle, Mediate admitted he would have to expire not to finish as the winner of the first Shaw Charity Classic.
“All I had to do was keep breathing and I’d win,” Mediate said. “And I kept breathing.”
Around the course: Former major winner Hale Irwin, 68, bettered his age by four shots when he shot 64 to finish T42 … The course record, which was set by Mediate on Friday and matched by Mike Goodes on Saturday, was bettered by Bill Glasson on Sunday. Glasson carded a 62 on the Par 71 course with nine birdies … There’s a good chance that Canyon Meadows will play as a Par 70 next year, with a change to the par five 15th hole … There were 1,000 birdies recorded over the three rounds of the Shaw Charity Classic … Fred Couples finished T10 after shooting 4-under in the final round.
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