Rocco Mediate

Rocco Anthony Mediate was born on December 17, 1962, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He developed his early golfing skills there before attending Florida Southern College, where he was a key member of the golf team. Alongside his close friend Lee Janzen, Mediate contributed to Florida Southern’s victory in the 1985 Division II national team championship. His collegiate career included being a two-time All-American, with a first-team recognition in 1984. Mediate turned professional in 1985, embarking on a career marked by both significant achievements and persistent challenges.

Mediate’s professional journey on the PGA Tour saw him secure six victories. A notable early achievement came in 1991 when he became the first PGA Tour player to win using a long putter at the Doral-Ryder Open. He added another win at the KMart Greater Greensboro Open in 1993. His career was frequently impacted by back issues, including a ruptured disk that led to major surgery in 1999 and further back pain later on. Despite these physical setbacks, Mediate continued to compete, earning additional PGA Tour wins in 1999, 2000, and 2002. His determination was particularly evident in the 2008 U.S. Open, where he finished as runner-up after an 18-hole playoff against Tiger Woods, a performance that significantly elevated his world ranking.

Upon turning 50, Mediate joined the PGA Tour Champions in 2013, continuing his successful career. He made an immediate impact, winning in his debut at the Allianz Championship and securing a second victory that same year at the Shaw Charity Classic. In 2016, he claimed his first senior major championship, the Senior PGA Championship, with a wire-to-wire victory, setting a new record for the lowest winning total at the event. He continued to add to his list of wins, including the Sanford International in 2019 and the Constellation Furyk & Friends in 2024, demonstrating his enduring skill and competitive spirit.