June 16, 2008 -- The 108th US Open Championship provided much excitement and many lessons throughout the weekend. As Tiger made his birdie putt on the 72nd hole, Rocco proclaimed, "I knew he'd make it." That putt secured a 18 hole playoff on Monday with the best player in the world battling the 158th ranked player for US Open Championship. Obviously, a total mis-match, right? Actually, no. Although their rankings and ages are significantly different, they both finished the 72 holes at one-under par. To emphasize the parity of their games this week, the then finished the 18-hole playoff one-under par. They may have arrived at that number by different routes, but it was still the same number. Let's see how each of them did it.

Despite the numbers saying he had no chance, Rocco Mediate gave Tiger Woods all he could handle for 90 holes at the U.S. Open. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods played this major championship similar to many we have seen him play in the past. He finished near the top of the statistical leader board in driving distance (320 yards), while he struggled hitting fairways (30/56- 53.5%). His ability to scramble out of the tall Torrey Pines rough, along with his short game allowed him to be among the leaders in birdies with a total 13 and hitting 46 of 72 greens in regulation.

Rocco Mediate on the other hand was near the bottom in driving distance (average 283 yards). Although shorter, Rocco was more accurate off the tee hitting 36 of 56 fairways (11% more than Tiger) and hit the same amount of greens in regulation (46/72). Rocco played his own game instead of trying to battle the long-hitting Woods and was rewarded with the exact same score as Tiger Woods. Again, even giving up a significant advantage in distance, Rocco played his game off the tee and hit the same number of greens and the same number of putts as the world's no. 1 player. What a great testament to his game plan and a great lesson for all golfers out there.

Trust and Commitment -- "It is better to be committed than correct"

Throughout the championship Rocco committed to his shot, trusting his swing, often aimed right of the target knowing the ball would draw back towards the fairway or flag. While other players tried to hit the correct shot for the situation (cut shots, draw shots, power fades and hooks), Rocco continued to play the shot that fit his eye, the draw. He also trusted his game plan. He avoided the temptation to go for many of the par fives in two, while opting to lay up to a comfortable yardage for his approach shot to the green. Playing within himself and trusting his game made it possible for Rocco to score the way he did. And thus, how does this apply to you?

• Amateurs and high handicappers can learn from Rocco's approach to the game. Play long par four's and five's like a chess game. If you can not reach the green in two, lay up to a yardage that best fits your game. When making a club selection for your second shot, choose the club that will leave you a comfortable yardage in for your approach shot. This will give you the best opportunity to make birdie or par.

• You will often hear professionals talking about trusting their swings, staying in the moment and being committed to the shot. Amateur and high handicap players can benefit from taking the same approach to the game. This commitment is not more evident than when a student is making swing changes. A swing change may feel awkward and uncomfortable, but committing to that change will result in more solidly struck shots and lower scores. Also, once that change is engrained on the practice tee, be committed to taking that swing onto the course. Both Rocco and Tiger showed examples of this throughout the championship.

Rocco Mediate was able to play to the same level as Tiger Woods for five rounds of golf -- and he did it by not playing Tiger Woods, but by playing the golf course in a way that made him most comfortable. He didn't try anything that he knew he couldn't accomplish a great majority of the time. He made the swing that he had confidence in with a shot shape that he was comfortable with. Regardless of what Tiger Woods did, Rocco did what he knew he could do. We would all play better golf and shoot better scores if we took this approach.

Todd Wagner manages the daily operations of the Kohler Golf Academy, serving as lead instructor, training all other Kohler Golf Academy instructors ensuring the quality of instruction, and growing Kohler Golf Academy through lesson programs and golf schools. Wagner has been with Kohler since 1996 and became Coordinator of the Kohler Golf Academy in 2005.

To book golf lessons with the Kohler Golf Academy, please call 920-565-6075.