Are You Kidding Me? Hardcover – January 1, 2009

This book works because Rocco Mediate has such an interesting story to tell. Until 2008 only golf fans knew who he was, but even the serious fan wouldn't have known much about his history. The book chronicles his rise from college golfer to the PGA Tour, but moves along at a good pace and is very readable.For all the focus given to Mediate's personal life prior to 2008, the book sort of skirts around the issue of his divorce. In the first half of the book there is hardly a personal detail too small to be left out, but it's very much the elephant in the room in the second half.There's a couple of typos/errors of fact (eg "Steve" Ballesteros and a reference to Tiger having previously won the US Open once instead of twice) which is annoying, and for an author of Feinstein's standing is just sloppy.Readers of other Feinstein books will recognise certain quotes or stories, which have been repeated (including the mandatory reference to the fact that the majority of golfers are Republicans).The coverage of the 2008 US Open is good, very much like the reporting in "Majors" which Feinstein wrote about the 1998 season.Definately worth a read, and who knows, it may turn out to be the definitive story of Tiger's final major victory!

Very enjoyable........except that Eldrick won

The more I read this book the more I wish Rocco had won the 08 Open.Seems like a good guy hat has a few flaws that we all have but is an interesting and funny guy.Enjoyed the read and the behind the scenes stories.

this is one of the most enjoyable golf books I have ever read. it follows Rocco Mediate's career, covering his rise to success, his injury and personal issues, and subsequent decline in form, with openness and honesty, all leading to the amazing 2008 US Open, when Rocco and Tiger Woods battled it out over 4 rounds and an 18 hole play off for the championship.The account of that battle is so exciting, that although you know the outcome, you find yourself willing Rocco to win, shot by shot and hole by hole.Based on interviews with Rocco, Tiger, numerous tour professionals, friends and family this book portrays the pressure, the thrills and the excitement of sport at the highest level.Great stuff - highly recommended

I bought this book as a confirmed tiger fan and was interested in mediates perspective on one of his (woods) greatest victories. We get mediates life story with a lot of stuff about his back problems although oddly, little about his expensive divorce and his gambling.Still this is a book about his battle with woods at Torrey pines and in that it is a worthy account. He comes across as an immensely likable character and although the central issue at this tournament was woods towering performance, in defeat, mediate showed himself to be an equally class act. The professional game needs more characters like him.