Let me set the stage for you. Rocco Mediate had just shot a 1-under 35 coming home at the 2008 US Open. Tiger Woods trailed by one stroke and was 1 over on the back nine. He stood at the lengthy par-5 18th hole at Torrey Pines needing an eagle for his 14th major and a birdie for the tie and playoff. He hit a bad tee shot into the sand.
Then he hit his layup into the rough about 100 yards from the pin.
That's where Steve Williams picks up the story in his new book, Out of the Rough.