Golden Bear applauds the perseverance of the Tiger

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jack Nicklaus knows a thing or two about winning U.S. Opens and has described Monday's playoff victory at Torrey Pines by a limping Tiger Woods as phenomenal.

World number one Woods defied jabbing pain in his left knee and a double stress fracture before edging out fellow American Rocco Mediate at the 91st hole to clinch his 14th major title.

Two days later, Woods stunned the golfing world by saying he had torn a ligament in his knee 11 months ago and would be sidelined for the rest of the year to have reconstructive surgery.

"In light of this week's revelation about Tiger's health, it makes his performance in the U.S. Open that much more phenomenal," 18-times major winner Nicklaus said in a statement on Thursday.

"I have always said that the U.S. Open is the most difficult and complete examination of a golfer and for him to persevere with a damaged knee and stress fracture is a testament not only to his ability but his tremendously high level of competitiveness.

"He was obviously in pain but he played right through it. To have a will as strong as that, I take my hat off to him."

Nicklaus, widely regarded as the greatest player ever with Woods as his heir apparent, won a record-equalling four U.S. Opens between 1962 and 1980.

He strung together a record 146 consecutive major starts, ending when he missed the 1998 British Open and withdrew only once from a major, pulling out of the 1983 Masters with a back injury.