Rocco Mediate

Rocco Mediate's Early Life and Background

Rocco Mediate's story begins in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a town steeped in golfing tradition. Born in 1962, Mediate's formative years were likely influenced by the legendary Arnold Palmer, who hailed from the nearby town of Latrobe. A young Mediate even played alongside Palmer at the Latrobe Country Club at 19, an experience that undoubtedly fueled his passion for the sport.

Details about his family are scarce, but it's believed his father was a barber. This suggests a working-class upbringing that instilled the values of hard work and dedication.

Rocco Mediate's Amateur Career

Though not extensively documented, Rocco Mediate's amateur career sheds light on his early development as a golfer. He opted to hone his skills at Florida Southern College, which is recognized for its competitive golf program. This choice indicates a severe commitment to improvement in a challenging environment. Interestingly, his college teammate was Lee Janzen, another future PGA Tour star.

The most significant feat of his amateur career was undoubtedly being part of the Florida Southern College team that clinched the 1985 Division II national championship title.

Rocco Mediate's Professional Career

Mediate turned professional in 1985, but persistent back problems soon marred his career. He adopted a long putter to compensate, becoming the first PGA Tour player to win with one at the 1991 Doral-Ryder Open. He secured another win in 1993 at the KMart Greater Greensboro Open before a ruptured disc forced him into a lengthy hiatus. Major back surgery in 1999 stole nearly five years from his prime.

Despite the setbacks, Mediate never gave up. He returned to the Tour in 1996 with a medical extension and displayed remarkable consistency, adding victories in 1999, 2000, and 2002.

2006 saw Mediate take on a new challenge – becoming an on-course reporter for The Golf Channel. However, his competitive spirit remained strong. He had consistently been recognized as one of the best putters in golf, and his talent was evident at the 2006 Masters. He was a serious contender until a disastrous septuple-bogey on the par-three 12th hole on the final day.

Mediate's finest central championship performance was Undeterred in 2008 at the US Open. He battled toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods, forcing the tournament into a sudden-death playoff – only the third in US Open history. While Woods emerged victorious on the first extra hole, Mediate's exceptional play earned him a staggering 111-spot jump in the world rankings.

Mediate secured his first win since 2002 at the Frys.com Open in spectacular fashion, holing out for an eagle on all four tournament days. This feat, along with his wire-to-wire victory, made him the oldest player to achieve such a win on the PGA Tour in over 40 years.

By 2013, Mediate had transitioned to the Champions Tour after turning 50. He also continued to etch his name in the winner's circle. His debut at the Allianz Championship resulted in a dominant victory, followed by another win at the Shaw Charity Classic later that year.

Mediate clinched his first senior major championship at the Senior PGA Championship, breaking the course record and becoming the first wire-to-wire winner since Jack Nicklaus in 1991. A dramatic birdie sealed his victory – a hole-out from a greenside bunker on the 71st hole.

In 2019, Mediate added another win to his impressive Champions Tour resume with a victory at the Sanford International.

Rocco Mediate's Playing Style

Master of the Putting Green: But his putting truly set him apart. Renowned for exceptional feel and precision, Mediate was consistently lauded as one of the best putters in golf. His reputation was cemented at the 2010 Frys.com Open, where he achieved the near-mythical feat of holing out for eagles on all four days – a testament to his mastery on the green.

Adaptability and Consistency: Mediate's intelligence as a golfer was evident in his ability to adapt. Switching back to a conventional putter after managing his back issues showcased his willingness to evolve his technique for optimal performance.

Thriving as the Underdog: Mediate often found his best form when facing adversity. His epic playoff battle with Tiger Woods at the 2008 U.S. Open exemplifies this. While Woods ultimately prevailed, Mediate's exceptional performance against a golfing legend solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor who thrived under pressure.

Rocco Mediate's Caddie

Martin Courtois was Rocco Mediate's last caddy before retiring. Courtois caddied for Mediate at the Stanford International tournament in 2019, where he won the Sanford International at Minnehaha Country Club and the 2016 Senior PGA Championship alongside Courtois.

Courtois and Mediate teamed up in 2007, and in the fifth week of their partnership, Mediate finished second at Bay Hill. After a break, Mediate rehired Courtois as his caddie in 2010, and he credits Courtois's methods for his victory at the 2013 US Senior Open at the Omaha Country Club.

Matt Achatz also caddied for Mediate at the 2008 US Open Golf in Torrey Pines, but Courtois spent more time as Mediate's caddy, with a total of four months. Matt Achatz met Rocco in 2004 when he was 34 years old, and two months later, Mediate contacted Courtois from the Phoenix Open and asked him to be his caddy for the week.

Martin Courtois' net worth is unknown, but he has spent 30 years caddying, making his PGA Tour debut in 1982, which was then called the Bing Crosby National Pro Amateur. It is more often referred to as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Rocco Mediate's Golf Journey

Born in 1962, details about his early golfing years are hazy, but his hometown – Greensburg, Pennsylvania – placed him in the heart of a state steeped in golfing history. Growing up likely under the influence of nearby legend Arnold Palmer, Mediate had the chance to play alongside him at the Latrobe Country Club.

While details about his family are scarce, it's believed his father was a barber, suggesting a working-class upbringing that instilled the values of hard work and dedication. Academic pursuits remain largely undocumented, but Mediate likely honed his skills during high school, leading him to Florida Southern College, known for its strong golf program. He found himself playing alongside another future PGA Tour star, Lee Janzen. Their teamwork culminated in a significant victory – the 1985 Division II national championship title for Florida Southern.

Mediate turned professional that same year, but persistent back problems soon marred his career. He adapted by becoming the first PGA Tour player to win with a long putter at the 1991 Doral-Ryder Open. He secured another win in 1993 before a ruptured disc forced him into a lengthy hiatus. Major back surgery in 1999 stole nearly five years from his prime. He returned to the Tour in 1996 and displayed remarkable consistency, adding victories in 1999, 2000, and 2002. His dedication to fitness helped minimize back issues, allowing him to switch back to a conventional putter in 2003.

2006 saw Mediate take on a new challenge as an on-course reporter, but his competitive fire remained strong. His exceptional putting skills were evident at the 2006 Masters, where he was a serious contender until a setback. However, his finest central championship performance came in 2008 at the US Open. He pushed Tiger Woods to a sudden-death playoff in an epic battle, showcasing his resilience and talent to the world.

Mediate's determination paid off again in 2010 with a spectacular victory at the Frys.com Open, becoming the oldest player to achieve a wire-to-wire win on the PGA Tour in over 40 years.

By 2013, he transitioned to the Champions Tour, where his success continued. He secured dominant victories at the Allianz Championship and the Shaw Charity Classic. In 2016, he claimed his first senior major championship at the Senior PGA Championship, breaking the course record and becoming the first wire-to-wire winner since Jack Nicklaus. He added another win to his impressive resume, winning at the Sanford International in 2019.

Rocco Mediate's Achievements

PGA Tour Victories (6):

• 1991 Doral-Ryder Open (First PGA Tour win using a long putter)

• 1993 KMart Greater Greensboro Open

• 1999 (Tournament Unknown)

• 2000 (Tournament Unknown)

• 2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic

• 2010 Frys.com Open (Oldest wire-to-wire winner on PGA Tour in over 40 years)

PGA Tour Highlights:

• Runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Open, losing to Tiger Woods in a dramatic 18-hole playoff.

• Ranked as high as 14th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

• Renowned for exceptional putting skills, consistently recognized as one of the best putters in golf.

Champions Tour Victories (4):

• 2013 Allianz Championship (Debut win)

• 2013 Shaw Charity Classic

• 2016 Senior PGA Championship (First senior major championship)

• 2019 Sanford International

Champions Tour Highlights:

• Won the Senior PGA Championship with a record-breaking score.

• First wire-to-wire winner at the Senior PGA Championship since Jack Nicklaus in 1991.

Other Accolades:

• 1985 Division II national champion (as part of the Florida Southern College team)

Rocco Mediate's Majors

Rocco Mediate's Net Worth

Rocco Mediate has a net worth of $20 million as of March 2024. He had an impressive golf career and won 12 professional tournaments, including six on the PGA Tour and three on the Champions Tour. One of his significant achievements was finishing second in the 2008 US Open and participating in an epic playoff against Tiger Woods.

Rocco Mediate’s yearly earnings since 2000

Rocco Mediate's Ventures

Rocco Mediate has been involved in several endorsement contracts and commercial initiatives throughout his career. Using his connections in the golfing scene, he has formed meaningful partnerships with well-known companies such as Callaway Golf and Golf Pride Grips. Moreover, Mediate has taken on business matters by creating a golf course in Arizona. In 2015, he signed an equipment endorsement deal with Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), and in 2017, he collaborated with Osteo Bi-Flex, a renowned health product producer. During competitions, Mediate proudly wore the Osteo Bi-Flex emblem on his hat, highlighting his association with many sponsors. Additionally, he has worked with companies like Lumos Networks and Nature's Bounty, demonstrating his ability to market products from various fields.

Rocco Mediate's Assets

Unfortunately, due to privacy concerns, specific details about Rocco Mediate's assets (like houses, cars, etc.) are not publicly available.

Rocco Mediate's Family

Rocco Mediate's father was Anthony Mediate, but no information about his mother is available. Anthony, a barber in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, played a crucial role in supporting Rocco's journey towards becoming a successful golfer. Despite his dedication, no further details about Anthony's life or contributions to his son's career are available.

Rocco Mediate's Wife

Jessica Madiate is the second wife of Rocco Mediate. The couple had known each other for three years before deciding to start dating. Jessica is an enthusiastic golfer who gained public attention in 2014 when she changed her marital status to married.

Despite being a public figure, there is little information available about Jessica. She was born in the United States and is currently married to Rocco, but she has chosen to keep her personal life private. As a result, she has not disclosed any details about her parents, siblings, or birth date.

Rocco Mediate's Cars

There is no information available about the cars owned by Rocco Mediate.